Emma, a single, divorced empty nester, faces a year of upheaval as life shifts around her: her best friend, Stan, is navigating a mid-life crisis after Craig's death; her daughter Maggie reveals she will move to Australia with her boyfriend, Nate; and her faithful dog Tanner dies of sickness and old age.
Emma tries to adopt another dog, Sal, but its aggressive behavior causes her to return it. Stan matches her up with an acquaintance for a date, but she turns him down superficially due to his name. Meanwhile, she struggles to hide her disapproval of Maggie and Nate's moving plans and Nate himself, further estranging her from Maggie. While attending Stan's birthday party, she gives him a framed photo of him and his deceased partner, which upsets Stan, who is trying to move on with his life.
Emma learns from her ex-sister-in-law, Raven, that Andy, her estranged ex-husband, is back in town. He had abandoned Emma and Maggie during her childhood to become an actor, and had a successful career and marriage in Singapore, before his alcohol addiction ruined both. Unable to find work in Singapore, he returned to California and has committed to sobriety. Reconnecting with Andy, despite her misgivings, results in the two of them having sex. Raven privately expresses concern about old triggers potentially affecting Andy's sobriety, and Emma decides to abruptly end things with him.
She seeks solace from her work friend, Kayla, who helps her invoke Tanner's spirit to help her adjust to the changes in her life.
Later, during an argument with Stan about his new lifestyle, and not understanding his need to move on with his life with Craig, Emma admits having reconnected with Andy. Stan is furious and incredulous at the news, having supported Emma and Maggie for years during Andy's absence, and asks her if she has considered how this would affect Maggie, who was deeply hurt by Andy's departure. They do not see each other again until Maggie's farewell party.
Maggie gives a heartfelt toast to Emma and Stan for raising her, and also to Tanner, which touches Maggie. However, when Emma and Stan argue at the party, Maggie learns that Emma reconnected with Andy. When Emma suggests that Maggie should meet with Andy for closure and to see that he has changed, Maggie angrily kicks both Emma and Stan out of the party.
Emma and Stan reconcile and reflect on Craig and the past, with Stan offering to give Andy another chance if Emma believes in him. The next morning, after receiving some advice from Nate, Maggie offers to meet Andy at a local diner, though Emma is concerned that Andy's struggles will prevent him from being there on time. He surprises her by making it there.
Maggie arrives and decides to leave, but Emma convinces her to stay and just have a meal together, which no further obligations. When they finish, Andy apologizes to Maggie, and Maggie wishes him well on his new life. Emma sees Nate and Maggie off to the airport and decides to give her blind date a call back. She gives Sal another try and promises not to return him. As she and Sal get along this time, Tanner's spirit observes them and departs.
