Angela is a recently divorced woman grieving the deaths of her father and infant daughter. She moves back to West End, Washington, where she throws herself into revitalizing her family's struggling Italian restaurant. She possesses a deep, unfulfilled longing to be a mother and attempts to avoid her emotional pain by maintaining a laser-like focus on work.

Lauren is a fiercely independent high school senior living in a rundown neighborhood. Forced to fend for herself due to her mother's neglect, she works late hours to pay rent while attending the prestigious Fircrest Academy on a scholarship. She dreams of attending college to escape poverty and deeply desires familial affection.

Conlan is a journalist and Angela's ex-husband. He carries his own quiet grief regarding their failed attempts to build a family. He attempts to protect his broken heart behind a detached, professional exterior, though he remains deeply affected by the end of his marriage.

David is Lauren's popular boyfriend and the star quarterback at Fircrest Academy. Expected to attend Stanford as a legacy student, he lives in an exclusive gated community. Despite his financial privilege, he suffers from his father's constant absence and longs for parental attention.

Billie is Lauren's mother, a woman who rarely works and spends much of her limited income on alcohol and cigarettes. She frequently reminds her daughter that her own promising future was derailed by an unplanned pregnancy. Selfish and emotionally distant, she expects Lauren to handle the household's financial burdens.

Maria is the matriarch of the DeSaria family, mourning the loss of her husband, Tony. She is a traditional mother who uses food and bustling family gatherings to provide comfort. While initially resistant to Angela's attempts to update the restaurant, she is highly perceptive of her daughters' emotional needs.

Mira is Angela's older sister and serves as a steadfast, compassionate confidant. She is observant about Angela's tendency to run away from pain and frequently encourages her to slow down and process her emotions.

Livvy is Angela's older sister, a practical and sometimes blunt woman who initially clashes with Angela over the management of the family restaurant. Despite her anger over Angela's past absence from the business, she loves her sister fiercely and advocates for her autonomy.

Tony is the deceased patriarch of the DeSaria family and the original owner of their Italian restaurant. Though he passes away before the story begins, his presence looms large over the family. He always believed Angela would return to help run the business, a faith that guides her actions.

Mrs. Mauk is the property manager of the dilapidated building where Lauren and Billie live. She serves as a constant reminder of Lauren's financial insecurity, demanding rent while also showing occasional, gruff flashes of humanity toward the struggling teenager.

Mr. Haynes is David's wealthy, business-focused father. He is frequently absent from his son's life, skipping important events like college fairs and football games, which leaves David feeling neglected.

Mrs. Haynes is David's affluent mother. She is highly focused on securing her son's successful future and maintaining their family's prestigious image within their gated community.

Diane is a colleague of Conlan's who witnesses the toll his divorce and grief take on him. She is fiercely protective of him in the workplace and resents anyone who causes him further pain.

Jake is Billie's boyfriend. His presence highlights Billie's habit of prioritizing romantic entanglements over her responsibilities as a mother.

Sophia is Angela and Conlan's deceased infant daughter. Though she lived only a few days, her death serves as the primary source of the deep grief that drives the collapse of her parents' marriage.