On Santa Monica Beach, Samantha reflects on how Xavier attentively “courted” her throughout the day, making her feel safe and valued. They talk about Lisa’s decline and their childhoods: Samantha shares warm memories with Lisa, while Xavier discloses his abusive, neglectful parents and the formative story of his childhood dog, Winnie, whose suffering led him to want to become a veterinarian.

The conversation turns flirtatious as Xavier indirectly checks if Samantha is seeing exes; she teases him for jealousy. Their mutual attraction culminates in a tender, electrifying first kiss that quickly intensifies. They return to Samantha’s apartment and begin to undress, but their air mattress catastrophically deflates mid-makeout, derailing the moment.

A desperate cry outside halts everything. Samantha and Xavier rush into the dark backyard and find Lisa barefoot, tangled in an old piñata, terrified and unrecognizing Samantha. Lisa fights Samantha, injuring Samantha’s ear, until Xavier calmly restrains and soothes Lisa, helping guide her inside as Jeneva arrives. Noticing Lisa’s scrapes and torn pajamas, they realize someone left a door unlocked; Samantha angrily blames Tristan.

Samantha confronts Tristan, accusing him of leaving the door open and sabotaging the mattress. He denies it, reveals he patched the preexisting hole, and suggests their father may have left the door unlocked. When Samantha and Jeneva discover their father is gone and not answering his phone, Samantha recognizes she misjudged Tristan, but he leaves, hurt by her words.

Back in the kitchen, Xavier cleans Lisa’s knees and devises a way to dose her with children’s Motrin by hiding it in a “shot” of apple juice, prompting a successful group toast that briefly evokes Lisa’s old personality. Jeneva settles Lisa to bed while Samantha, shaken and guilty, thanks Xavier and laments how she treated Tristan. Xavier advises apologizing in the morning and checks Samantha’s ear, reassuring her the injury is minor.

Seeking rest and privacy, they opt for Xavier’s prepaid, run-down hotel. Despite safety concerns and grimy conditions, they carefully inspect the room, swap out linens, and lie together, exhausted. They share quiet reassurances—Samantha noting he did not “remember to forget” her—settling into a fragile peace that underscores their growing attachment.