Before a date with Paul the "wine guy", Monica Geller is teased by her friends, Phoebe Buffay, Chandler Bing and Joey Tribbiani, at the Central Perk coffee shop. Ross Geller, Monica's older brother, arrives at the coffee shop, upset after discovering his ex-wife, a recently out lesbian, has moved out of his apartment to begin a new relationship with her partner. A young woman suddenly arrives wearing a wet wedding dress, whom Monica recognizes as her high-school best friend, Rachel Green. Monica introduces her to the others as Rachel reveals she left her fiancé at the altar. After Rachel's father cuts her off financially, Monica reluctantly takes Rachel in as a new roommate.

Meanwhile, Joey and Chandler console Ross while helping him assemble new furniture. Ross begins to wonder if any woman would be "the right one" for him. Monica goes on her first date with Paul, and while he seems decent and respectful, she discovers from a colleague that he has a reputation as a womanizer, ending her hopes that she will find a mate. As she goes to bed, Ross and Rachel talk and he confesses that he once had a crush on her during high school, to which she admits she knew. He successfully brings up the idea to Rachel of asking her out sometime, and soon leaves the apartment feeling the beginning of a new hope for him.

In the final scene, the entire group are in Central Perk having coffee with Rachel, who begins a new career as a coffee shop waitress.