Evie and Ryan host a patio dinner for James and the woman introduced as Lucca. Lucca delivers a polished backstory as an insurance adjuster from Baton Rouge, while James drinks heavily and struggles to keep up. Evie probes with details about Eden and a “college friend,” noting Lucca’s brief stumble and concluding Lucca relied on a briefing rather than her own research.

When Lucca asks for the powder room, Ryan escorts her inside. Anticipating a search, Evie has placed a fake spreadsheet in their bedroom and set small tells to detect tampering. Moments later, Evie confirms the drawer was disturbed, proving Lucca snooped. Back at the table, Ryan reveals a plan for a shared vegetable garden, and Evie openly commits to staying, even as the mood remains strained.

Conversation turns to how long James and Lucca will be in town. James claims he now works for Lucca’s company and can work from anywhere. Ryan, wary of James’s past, had hidden valuables before the dinner. The evening proceeds with small talk and beers, but tension persists between Ryan and James.

While cleaning up, Evie confronts Lucca about “instructions” and their shared handler. After pushing, Lucca admits she already sent a photo of the planted spreadsheet to Mr. Smith. Evie warns her not to interfere and cautions that it’s a short step from being on a job to becoming the job. Goodbyes are terse; Ryan tersely dismisses James’s behavior as “same ol’ shit,” and he and Evie head back inside, their alliance intact but the stakes raised.