It Had to Be You

A former police officer who quit after failing to prevent a child’s suicide, he has turned to writing and is open to romance. He pursues Anna with persistence, orchestrating romantic gestures and seeking a future beyond his past guilt. His arc centers on belief in love and the risk of vulnerability.

A fourth-grade teacher who is cautious about rushing into marriage, valuing independence and practicality. She meets Charlie and feels a genuine connection, but she weighs commitment against her personal and professional life. Her evolution centers on embracing love without losing who she is.

Charlie’s good-natured friend who teases with pickup lines but grows into a more sincere romantic partner. His arc includes confronting personal habits and taking sobriety seriously, eventually reconnecting with Tracey. He remains loyal and hopeful about love, even as life complicates his plans.

Henry’s date and a catalyst for the other relationships, Tracey brings energy and perspective that push Charlie and Anna toward action. She is supportive, perceptive, and willing to encourage others to take a chance on happiness. Her presence helps resolve tensions and move the story toward its hopeful ending.

Charlie’s fiancée who is preparing for the wedding and represents the life Charlie might have built with someone else. Her departure to Europe for work heightens the tension between fate and choice, underscoring the themes of timing and commitment. She acts as a foil to the evolving romance between Charlie and Anna.

Anna’s fiancé who is navigating his own personal challenges, including concerns raised by his mother about OCD. His relationship with Anna provides a backdrop of responsibility, fear, and the complexities of preparing for marriage. He represents the pressures that can complicate even seemingly stable partnerships.