Rio drives Hallie back to Chicago. Later that night, she goes to his house, and he expresses his guilt over abandoning her. Hallie admits that she’s in debt from taking out loans to cover her father’s medical trial expenses, which she had hidden from her family.

Rio then asks when she learned that her father was sick. Hallie reveals that it was two weeks before he left for Chicago, just after she discovered his father’s affair. Rio is devastated, realizing that her withdrawn behavior wasn’t just about his family’s crisis but also about her terror for her father. He cries, and Hallie comforts him, explaining that while he idolized his parents’ marriage, she had always seen her relationship with Rio as the ideal. He confesses that he never stopped thinking about her. She retrieves a box of their old mixtapes from his closet to prove that she understands he’s telling the truth. He explains that he kept his old boombox just to play the mixtapes, hoping to rekindle their relationship one day.

In a flashback to Hallie’s senior prom, she returns home feeling lonely because Rio, away at his freshman year of college, couldn’t attend. Upon returning home, she finds Rio on the roof between their houses. He explains that he tried to surprise her for prom, but his flight was delayed.

Hallie notices that his eye is bruised, and he admits that Luke hit him after Rio confessed that he was in love with her. Rio tells Hallie that he’s done hiding their relationship and declares his love for her. She reciprocates, and he asks her to spend the night, as his parents are gone. They go to his room and have sex for the first time.

In the present, Rio attends a “girls’ night” with his friends Indy, Stevie, Kennedy, and Miller. Consumed with guilt, he has been distracted and playing hockey poorly. He confides in them, recounting his entire history with Hallie, including his recent discovery of the sacrifices she made to care for her father.

His friends are supportive, but, when Rio mentions that he told Hallie that he would wait until she was ready for their relationship to progress, they scold him. They explain that she has had years to process the past, but he’s the one who needs time to forgive himself. They insist that Hallie is waiting for him to be ready.

Rio has an epiphany and rushes to Hallie’s house. He gives her an emotional speech, apologizing and stating that he wants to move forward together without erasing their past. Hallie tells him to kiss her, and they’re interrupted by encouragement from Wren. Rio carries Hallie across the yard to his house, and she affirms that he has always been the one she loves, too.

Rio and Hallie go to his bedroom and begin to undress. He takes off his shirt, revealing a tattoo over his heart that’s an exact replica of the unique heart symbol that Hallie used to draw on their mixtapes. He explains that he got it three years ago as a permanent reminder of their love. Overcome with emotion, Hallie performs oral sex on him.

Afterward, Rio confesses that he hasn’t had sex in the six years they were apart and has only ever been with her. Hallie, shocked, reveals that she has also only been with him. They laugh at their shared stubbornness and the time they lost. Rio then performs oral sex on her. They talk about their future, and he admits that he bought condoms a few months ago “just in case” (336), while she reveals that she went back on birth control at the same time for the same reason. They have sex.

The next morning, Hallie wakes up in Rio’s bed. While she makes coffee, his mother calls. He takes the call privately, and Hallie worries about Mia’s disapproval. When Rio is off the phone, she discovers that her interior-design Instagram account has gained nearly 30,000 followers. Rio explains that his famous friends, including Miller and Zanders, have been sharing her work. He dances with her in the kitchen and admits that the call with his mother was difficult. However, he vows not to let anyone’s opinion or his own past mistakes ruin their relationship again. He asks for verbal confirmation that they’re officially a couple, and she agrees that she’s “all in.”

In a flashback to Rio’s sophomore year of college, he tells Hallie that he plans to enter the National Hockey League draft early. He asks her to move with him if he gets drafted, and she eagerly agrees. They spend the night planning their future, with Hallie describing their dream house as a blank slate she can renovate into their perfect home. Rio inwardly promises to give her everything she wants.

Back in the present, Rio surprises Hallie at her bartending job, having arranged for her coworker Carson to cover her shift so that she can attend his game against Boston. He gives her a custom jersey with his name on the back. On the way to the arena, they run into Rio’s agent, Will, who tells them that Boston’s management is making roster moves that strongly suggest they intend to acquire Rio.

At the arena, Rio introduces Hallie to everyone as his girlfriend and takes her to the pre-game family room, where she meets the other players’ wives. Her nerves ease as they welcome her warmly. She joins their friends in a private box. During warmups, Rio skates over and makes their private heart symbol with his hands, and she discreetly returns it. While watching him, Hallie feels immense pride, and her friends affirm how deeply in love he is.