Driving home from the family barbecue, Lauren felt warm and content, newly struck by how Nic had encouraged her to be open about her camming when Aly asked what she did. The acceptance from Aly and the nurses lifted a weight from Lauren and made her reconsider keeping things "casual" with Nic, especially given his decade of covert protection and his visible pride in her. She invited him up when they reached her place.

Ryan intercepted Lauren at the door, offered to take Walter out so Lauren and Nic could have privacy, and mentioned Taylor was out with Jackson. When Nic arrived, Lauren led him to her bedroom. Nic took in the room where Lauren films and admitted he had long fantasized about being there with her. They quickly moved from talk to sex, with Nic directing her to ride his face; Lauren climaxed intensely, relishing the freedom to be loud and unposed.

In the aftermath, as they teased and touched, Nic asked Lauren to call him "Nic" rather than "Junior," saying he wanted less distance between them. Before they could go further, Nic’s phone rang with an urgent call; he had to leave within twenty minutes. Lauren tried to brush it off as casual, but Nic pinned her, rolled against her, and asked directly for something more than casual.

Lauren admitted she was scared because of past hurt. Nic promised they could take it as slow as she needed. They agreed to try for more, shared a deep kiss, and acknowledged they didn’t have time to have sex again. Lauren asked only that he let her know he was safe.

On the way out, Walter bounded toward them, but Nic calmly commanded him to stop; Walter sat and then enthusiastically accepted Nic, signaling approval. In the living room, Ryan, Taylor, and Jackson were present and witnessed their exit banter. Nic kissed Lauren’s forehead and left for his urgent errand, with Lauren asking him to drive safe.