After several dreamy days in Italy, where the two meet while on solo vacations, they return to their separate lives in Los Angeles. But Leo can't resist calling Isabel, even though she decides to accept a marriage proposal from her longtime boyfriend. The bond they formed overseas haunts her, too, and Leo is nothing if not persistent: ""When love does come around,"" he tells her, ""you can't take it lightly.""
Leo insists that Isabel tell Everett that the wedding is off. She does-but she can't refuse when he asks her to attend nuptials at which his family had expected to meet her. Meanwhile, Leo's sister Rhonda has a breakup of her own to deal with.
Leo and Isabel hope that first impressions aren't lasting, when, through a comedy of errors, they unexpectedly meet each other's families. But it's not very amusing when he and Everett come face to face at Isabel's house.
Everything seems perfect as Leo and Isabel prepare to consummate their relationship; everything, that is, except the timing. The one-year anniversary of the death of Leo's mother is approaching and the emotional strain is taking its toil on the young lovers' blossoming relationship-not to mention the rest of the Roth family.
Leo and Isabel decide to move in together, but their friends and families are, to say the least, confused, especially since the couple has known each other for just two weeks.
Leo's brother, Jake, is quite put out when he learns that their father is considering taking a job in Dayton, a move that would involve uprooting the family.
Doug feels abandoned when Leo becomes friends with Karen's often missing-in-action husband, Alan, who is a financial planner.
Jake gets a hole in one-and a job at the magazine-when he impresses Isabel's dad with his skill at a computer golf game. But Leo winds up in the parent trap, trying to be a father to his younger brother but unconsciously expecting him to fail.
Isabel is jealous when Leo goes after an assistant's job with successful -- and beautiful -- architect Julia Cordoza, a client of Alan's who could propel Leo to the career he's always wanted. Meanwhile, Karen goes shopping for a new set of wheels and ends up in a weird flirtation with car salesman Doug.
And the winner of the award for best magazine is... Epicenter, and publisher David Lukens thanks everyone in his acceptance speech but the rag's founder: Eve.
Leo's dad Barry isn't sure if he'll make it home for the holidays. Actually, he's in town, living in a motel, but he's unable to tell the family he lost his job in Dayton.
Leo and Isabel throw a New Year's Eve bash for their friends. But the limited guest list doesn't preclude some party crashers from showing up-including Everett, Isabel's ex-fiancé.
During an intimate moment, Leo tells Isabel that he wants to marry her, but both of them are confused about the statement's meaning. Meanwhile, Karen slyly arranges to visit Doug; and Rhonda's unlucky dating streak ends.
Jake refuses to explain why he's so desperate for $100 in cash but sees an opportunity to earn it by chauffeuring around Isabel's visiting young cousin, Anne. While driving Miss Annie, though, Jake begins falling for the quiet, contemplative girl.
Will Karen and Doug's cheatin' hearts tell on them, or will Leo. Meanwhile, Isabel ain't misbehavin' but feels guilty anyway when she runs into Everett while jogging; and Jennifer receives an ominous letter from one of her professors.
When Leo has to work on Valentine's Day, Isabel goes to a concert with Everett. Meanwhile, Alan returns home from a business trip and notices that his wife is ""glowing.""
Leo faces some tough realities as he deals with his grandfather's recent heart attack and the departure of Isabel, who's found an apartment of her own.
