Mr. Wrong Number

Olivia wakes up early and goes for a run. She feels confident and free until she trips over another runner, falls, and cuts her knees. She and the guy race to Starbucks, where she learns his name is Paul. She also agrees to go on a date with him. Afterward, she texts Mr. Wrong Number about what happened.

Olivia runs home and showers. She runs into Colin in the hall afterward and they argue about bathroom schedules. Afterward, she closes herself in the office and wonders why she hasn’t heard from Mr. Wrong Number.

“Colin”

Colin panics when Olivia keeps texting him. He ignores the texts from Miss Misdial, afraid that Jack will be furious if he learns they’ve been talking. He runs into Olivia in the hall again and is overwhelmed by her appearance and perfume. She tells him he can use his office today as she’ll be working at a café. After she leaves, Colin tells himself to pull it together and focus on work. However, Olivia keeps texting him throughout the day. To distract himself, he texts Harper, the woman he was trying to text when he originally misdialed Olivia. They make plans to have dinner that night.

“Olivia”

Olivia finishes her article about a restaurant opening and starts “drafting another 402 column” (99). She’s annoyed that Mr. Wrong Number hasn’t texted back but is glad to be writing. Back at home later, she runs into Colin again. They chat about their work and Olivia teases Colin about being rich and entitled. Colin is surprised that this is how she sees him. She rushes through their conversation because she doesn’t want him to know she’s babysitting her nephews at the apartment while he’s out at dinner. After he leaves, she texts Mr. Wrong Number again. He finally responds saying that he can’t talk because he’s on a date. Twenty minutes later, he updates her on the date.

“Colin”

Colin asks Harper back to his place although he’s not interested in her. He’s shocked to see Olivia playing with Kyle and Brady in the living room when they get home. He’s even more surprised when Olivia and Harper start chatting like friends. However, he gets upset when he goes to pour some drinks and discovers that Olivia opened his expensive bottle of tequila from his sister. They get into an argument which makes Harper uncomfortable and she leaves.

“Olivia”

Colin knocks on Olivia’s door to apologize. Olivia tries to ignore how attractive he looks during the conversation. Colin reiterates how sorry he is about making a scene and reveals that he’s impressed by how fast she’s pulling her life together. Olivia accidentally reveals that she’s been napping on his expensive Purple mattress. They chat for a while longer before saying goodnight.

Olivia goes out for brunch with Paul even though she’s not interested in him. She and Mr. Wrong Number text throughout. When Paul starts making offensive remarks about women and the #MeToo movement, Olivia decides to keep texting Mr. Wrong Number to annoy Paul. Finally, she ends the date when Paul reveals that he likes Hooters.

“Colin”

Colin and Olivia catch up on the balcony when she returns from her date. She doesn’t tell Colin the same information she told Mr. Wrong Number about Paul. Olivia squeals when she notices a 402 Mom promo billboard in the distance. Colin realizes she’s the anonymous writer. Olivia admits that she is but begs Colin not to tell anyone. He promises to keep her secret and compliments her writing, admitting that he’s currently struggling to write a letter for work. A few hours later, Olivia emails him a new draft of the letter. Colin replies, expressing his gratitude.

The next morning, Olivia sees her first column go live on the Times website. She’s so excited, she texts Mr. Wrong Number but he doesn’t respond. She runs into Colin who congratulates her on her first Times byline for the restaurant piece. Olivia and Jack joke that even the byline won’t make their mom proud.

Things go well for Olivia in the following days. Her column gains attention and she enjoys writing the “real-life reviews and interviews” (136). However, Olivia feels upset when she stops hearing from Mr. Wrong Number.

“Colin”

Colin and Olivia run into each other in the living room one night. Olivia is up late looking for apartments online. Colin is surprised she’s looking at rentals in the suburbs when she’s repeatedly mentioned how much she loves living downtown. Olivia argues that she can’t afford anything close to his and Jack’s condo. Colin reveals that the building has some loft studios available and suggests she apply. He says the building manager Jordyn is easy to work with. Olivia doubts her application will be approved but decides to apply anyway. They say goodnight and Colin goes to his room. He emails Jordyn a recommendation on Olivia’s behalf.

Olivia spends the next day touring apartments she doesn’t like. The downtown rentals are dumpy and unaffordable, and the suburban rentals are too close to her parents. After the tours, she stops at her parents’ house. Nancy is meeting with her church friends. The women start talking about 402 Mom. Everyone but Nancy likes the column. After Olivia leaves, she gets an email from Jordyn saying she got one of the studio apartments.

Back at the condo, Olivia tells Colin her news and hugs him. Suddenly, Colin kisses her. They make out for a while before Olivia pulls away and asks what they’re doing. Jack returns home, ending the encounter.

“Colin”

Colin paces around his room, shocked that he and Olivia kissed. He reminds himself she’s Jack’s sister and it can never happen again. However, he can’t stop thinking about what Olivia told Mr. Wrong Number about her sexual preferences.

Olivia and Sara meet up for happy hour. Over drinks, Olivia tells her about kissing Colin. Colin shows up at the bar and joins them. Olivia is confused by how nice he’s being the whole time.

“Colin”

Colin listens intently to Sara talk but his thoughts are on Olivia. She keeps looking at him in confusion. He feels confused, too.

A week later, Olivia packs up her box of things to move. Colin, Jack, Will, Dana, and the boys join her. In her new apartment, they sit on the floor, drinking beer, eating pizza, and chatting. Out on the balcony later, Colin informs Olivia that the letter she helped him with secured him a contract with a new client. Afterward, Olivia says goodnight to everyone. She revels in her new place, blasting music and dancing around. However, she feels lonely when she lies down and texts Mr. Wrong Number.

“Colin”

Colin receives a text from Miss Misdial. She updates him on her new apartment and how empty it feels. Colin doesn’t want to text Olivia as Mr. Wrong Number but feels guilty ignoring her. He takes out an old phone he has in his drawer and texts her from that number instead.

“Olivia”

Olivia is surprised to get a text from Colin. They chat about the new apartment and living together. Colin asks about their kiss, admitting that if Jack hadn’t come home, they would’ve ended up having sex. Olivia plays along, insisting she’d do anything to sleep on his mattress. Colin agrees to let her keep napping there when he’s not at home. They agree that Jack would be furious if he discovered anything was going on between them.