Samantha and her family demolished the kitchen down to the studs in a burst of cathartic energy, then struggled when Lisa came home two days into the remodel. With no place to cook, they transformed the backyard gazebo into an outdoor kitchen and gathering spot, which energized them and unified the family. Tristan shifted into collaborator mode, making design storyboards; Jeneva researched appliances; Samantha handled contractor bids, and they expanded the project to include the dining room and nearby bathroom. Lisa remained heavily medicated, which helped keep her calm while the house bustled with workers and noise.

Eight weeks after Xavier left, he called Samantha while she was tile shopping with Tristan, asking her to dinner while insisting it would be as friends. Tristan suspected Xavier had come specifically for Samantha and baited her into a bet about it. Samantha agreed to dinner but kept repeating it was not a date. Back home, she prepared carefully despite her resolve.

Xavier arrived with flowers and a Porto’s box of guava cheese strudels, claiming they were not romantic gestures. He charmed Samantha’s cat Pooter, noted her new mattress, and made the evening feel intimate before they even left. He had secured hard-to-get reservations at Castaway in Burbank, and during the drive he shared his photo roll of clinic animals and rescues, which impressed Samantha with his compassion and skill. Seeing an old selfie from their first date stirred Samantha’s longing for a life they could not have due to Lisa’s illness.

At the restaurant, Samantha insisted on paying her own way to reinforce that it was not a date, despite the venue’s romantic setting. Over a long dinner and fireside conversation, they caught up on family, work, and friends. Xavier shared stories about his clinic and loyal staff, while Samantha talked about the remodel and Lisa’s care. The attraction between them was palpable—Xavier did not touch Samantha but watched her closely, and she realized she could not be just his friend.

When Xavier drove her home, he asked to see her again the next day, offering to skip the supposed conference lectures. Pressed by Samantha, he admitted he was not registered for the conference and had flown to California to see her. Feeling deceived and flustered, Samantha tried to end the night at her door, but Xavier gently embraced her from behind and confessed he could not stop thinking about her and hated not seeing her.

Torn between her rational resolve and overwhelming feelings, Samantha acknowledged that this was unsustainable yet could not bring herself to reject him. Overcome by the moment and his honesty, she turned and kissed him.