On the morning of July 2, Alice brings leftover chocolate cake to the Florek house. Persephone Kalinski answers the door in a bikini, apologizes for the casual attire, and welcomes Alice in for coffee while explaining that Charlie and Sam are outside hammering away at the tree house. Alice has her camera, and Percy recognizes her work, revealing she is the editor of Shelter magazine and that Alice previously shot a successful feature for them.

Alice offers to take informal photos of Percy’s pregnancy over the summer. Percy agrees, joking about maternity images, and Alice begins taking candid shots as Percy makes coffee. The rapport is easy, with Alice’s compliments loosening Percy up as Alice slips into “photographer mode.”

They head outside with coffee and hear Charlie and Sam arguing. Percy attributes it to poor communication; Alice overhears Sam pressing Charlie to be “prepared,” and Charlie telling him to back off. The brothers are in swimsuits near the partially built tree house. Charlie softens when he sees Alice, and she teases him about his ego as they admire the project’s frame.

Alice reflects on feeling bright after the prior night’s fireworks with Charlie, and notes two decisions from that morning: she told Harrison Singh she is not available for dinner and emailed editor Willa refusing to do the heavy retouching, citing the original “refreshingly real” brief. Back with the group, there is flirtatious banter, and Sam and Percy exchange knowing looks at Alice and Charlie’s chemistry.

Pressed by Percy’s comment that Alice is “perfect” for Charlie, Charlie insists they are “just friends,” and Alice agrees out loud, reminding herself to focus on herself and Nan this summer. Sam mutters his skepticism. Percy and Sam then debate the baby’s sex while sharing a tender moment that Alice notes Trevor never gave her. Alice catches Charlie watching them with a subdued, almost sad expression before he gives her a quieter smile.

Talk returns to the tree house. Charlie vows to finish it in time for a party in three weeks; Percy doubts the timing but invites Alice to join a friends’ weekend for the occasion. Alice accepts and offers to bring her camera. Charlie climbs back up to work and tells Alice he will come by the cottage later that afternoon. As Alice leaves, Percy privately asks Sam if he thinks Alice and Charlie are truly just friends; Sam hints Charlie’s usual patterns might not apply this time.