It's Not Like That

Pastor Malcolm, recently widowed, and Lori, his late wife's best friend-newly divorced-are longtime friends who hold fast to family, faith, and friendship while grieving their losses and raising their children. But under the strains of single parenthood and grief will their friendship turn into romance? It's not like that. Or is it?

Malcolm and Lori must decide how to move forward. With the romantic tension still simmering between them, Malcolm wrestles with his pastoral calling and the congregation's growing concern, while Lori enjoys her first date since her divorce. Flora resists therapy, Casey battles for respect on the wrestling team, and Pen fails when Justin needs her.

With Grace Community Church's rummage sale approaching, Malcolm encourages his family to donate Jenny's belongings. Loneliness and blurred lines complicate everything when Lori and David take a different approach to parenting, and Lori looks to Malcolm for emotional support in a lonely moment. Meanwhile, Merritt resents his dad, takes Flora for a drive, and spots Malcolm in an unexpected place.

Lori and David partner on a shared client, pop star Claire Leslie, but his jealousy of Malcolm festers, causing David to make a bad decision. Casey blocks Pen from concert tickets, shaking Pen's fragile popularity at school. Flora explores songwriting and grows closer to Merritt. Malcolm goes on his first date in decades, then discovers a spark while navigating a challenge with Justin.

Malcolm leans on Lori as he steps back into dating, finding sparks with Grace. But is he ready to leave Lori behind? Joe's silence leaves Lori unsettled, while David repairs the consequences of his actions and Casey's trust. Penelope and Casey grow more estranged while Merritt and Flora go to a high school party and grow even closer.

Casey's victory at a wrestling meet makes her an icon, while Pen seethes. Malcolm and Lori chaperone the Grace Community Church youth lock-in, where Pen and Casey's feud finally erupts and boils over. Alone at Lori's, Flora and Merritt test the romantic boundaries of their new relationship.

With their families separated, Malcolm and Lori deepen their new relationships with fun date nights. Grace considers Malcolm's faith-inspired boundaries around sex, while Lori leans on David during Monument Charter Gala prep. Flora reacts to Merritt's actions through songwriting, while Dakota gets between Pen and Casey. It all comes to a head on the night of the school Gala.

After an accident shakes both families, they face hard truths as Christmas nears. The season of giving brings with it all kinds of unexpected gifts and surprises and healing, leaving one big question unanswered - will Malcolm and Lori find their way back to each other?