Scarlett arrives at the Shapiros’ birthday party with Pen, feeling exposed and out of her depth. Retreating upstairs, she checks her phone and finds a C on her latest German test, worsening her post-MCAT exhaustion and sense of unraveling.

Lukas finds Scarlett in a quiet room. After brief small talk, Scarlett asks why he touched her earlier in the week. Lukas says she seemed touch-starved and lonely, clarifies he wants only enthusiastic consent, and bluntly notes her attraction. He denies any game or revenge on Pen, and accurately describes Scarlett’s need for control and current unraveling, acknowledging her kink.

The intimacy escalates when Lukas cups Scarlett’s face and slides his thumb into her mouth, then stops and steps back. He offers two clear options: say nothing and revert to professional distance, or choose to meet and negotiate terms. Scarlett is overwhelmed and stays silent; Lukas leaves as promised.

Back downstairs, the party shifts to a playful choreographed dance. Watching Lukas laugh with friends intensifies Scarlett’s hunger. She reconsiders and replies to his old email with, 'When and where?' Lukas sees the message, meets her eyes, and nods, and Scarlett finally smiles, having chosen to move forward.