Former wild child Mel Burke has just been elected as city council person for Toledo, Ohio. However, in addition to her new job, she is also forced into raising her niece, Lennox, and her nephew, Ryder. Lennox and Ryder's father, Louis Scanlon, was part of a ponzi scheme and fled the country. Their mother was sent to prison, leaving Mel as the only option. Joe Longo, a former employee of Louis and lost all of his money. His wife kicked him out and left him with nothing. Joe tracks down Mel for information on Louis. Their paths continue to cross until Mel accidentally offers Joe a job to help her take care of the kids. Lennox got suspended from school and Joe saves the day getting Lennox to talk to the principal and accept her punishment.

Mel dates a guy with ulterior motives. Joe deals with getting his stuff back from his ex-wife, most importantly his flat screen TV. Lennox tries to make friends in her new school.

Lennox is asked to be a model but she must get permission from Mel. Joe helps Ryder ask a girl out.

Mel recruits Joe to play on her office softball team, as she is determined to beat her rival's team (Tom Wilson). Meanwhile, Ryder wants Lennox to feature Holly's short story in the school blog.

Mel plans a wedding at her home; Lennox and Ryder work on a documentary.

Joe fears that being a nanny will prevent him from having a love life. Mel is worried that a depressed Joe means no more gourmet food so she lies to help him get a date with her former sorority sister. Joe needs to keep the lie going to help out Mel in her job.

Lennox starts dating a bad boy that Mel disapproves of, while Mel is also dating a bad boy of her own. Joe takes it upon himself to reorganize Mel‘s closet.

Mel grounds Lennox because she is failing chemistry and needs to study. However, when Senator Russell Burke, Mel‘s father, shows up unexpected, he undermines her authority. Senator Burke sweet talks Joe and takes the kids out for a night of fun against Mel‘s wishes. Seeing the conflict between Mel and Lennox, Senator Burke invites Lennox to move in with him and her grandmother in Washington, D.C.

Mel catches Joe having secret meetings with a girl named Tessa in the basement. When Mel begins to spy, she learns that Joe & Tessa are on a manhunt for her brother-in-law Lewis Scanlon. Mel & Joe think Ryder is getting bullied at school because he keeps losing his stuff. Joe & Mel come to his rescue by getting his stuff back, but proceed to make everything worse.

Mel is working on her public image and invites a TV reporter to do a story on her and the kids. Celeste Vega (Valery Ortiz) finds out that Mel has a male nanny working for her and shifts the story to Joe. Stephanie alerts Joe that the piece is not flattering for Mel. Joe goes down to Celeste‘s office to defend Mel.

Mel agrees to dance with a dancer from "Dancing with the Stars'' at a charity event.

Due to a recent scandal at the city council, Mel is asked to prove Joe’s legal working status in the United States. Much to her surprise, Joe was born in Korea while his family was stationed abroad, and he can’t find his legal documents. Meanwhile, when Lennox decides to go to a school dance with one of her girlfriends, rumors start circulating about her sexuality.

Lennox dates the Mayor's son, who may not be the good influence Mel thinks he is.

Mel hears something in the attic but when she goes to investigate it is the last thing she expected.

Lennox has a crush on her tutor. Joe creates a web site where he gives financial advice.

Joe's ex, Tiffany, tries to rekindle their relationship

Melissa's trainer, "Lindsay Gates" (Jessalyn Wanlim) has a physical thing for Joey.

Mel has an important deal with a Japanese businessman and asks Joe to teach her Japanese. When the businessman's son arrives in his place and speaks no English, Joe has to translate between the two. When the Japanese businessman develops a romantic interest in Mel, Joe sabotages the translation. Meanwhile, Lennox is forced to work with her ex-best friend on a school project, and Ryder tries to mediate.

After debating whether to show his face after the tumultuous year he's had, Joe ultimately decides to go to his 10-year college reunion. On the same evening, per the Mayor's request, Mel goes out to dinner with an artist to discuss bringing his installations to Toledo. But when Mel gets a call from a depressed Joe at his reunion, she rushes over there to surprise him by posing as his girlfriend and save the day - only to realize that in the meantime, Joe has found and reconnected with an old flame. And Lennox and Ryder decide to throw a party with Mel and Joe out for the evening, but it does not go as planned.

Mel volunteers Joe for a school charity auction but the winner of the auction may have ulterior motives.

Mel feels the pressure to find someone after her last single friend gets engaged.

Mel begins dating a younger man (Scott Michael Foster). Elsewhere, Lennox encourages her classmate to edit the school blog

George has a party to introduce Mel to his friends. Meanwhile, Joe gets upset at his ex-wife for disrespecting their anniversary.

Mel reexamines her romance with George. Elsewhere, Holly introduces her folks to Ryder.

Mel's dad comes back to town to support a bill Mel opposes. Meanwhile, Lennox's poetry proves popular with a classmate who's an aspiring singer.