Katie video-called Beanie to announce she was taking a personal day after Hutch pushed her away the night before. Beanie challenged Katie’s defenses of Hutch, urged her to raise her standards, and insisted Katie add to her daily beauty list despite feeling low. Pressed to pick something "normal," Katie chose her mouth and articulated why it was beautiful and "kissable," sparking a deeper epiphany about validating herself rather than relying on others for worth and love.

Buoyed by this realization, Katie felt newly empowered. Rue arrived with a gift from Vitamin Sea: a sundress in either “romance red” or “funeral black,” inviting Katie to Ginger’s birthday dinner and hinting Hutch might attend. Embracing her new mindset, Katie chose the red dress and decided to go, reframing the evening as a celebration of herself regardless of Hutch.

That evening, Katie wore the red dress to the outdoor party under string lights with music playing. She and Hutch locked eyes when he arrived with a bouquet for Ginger, sharing a long, electric look. When “Copacabana” came on, Rue rallied everyone into a conga line. Katie protested she didn’t know how, but Hutch placed his hands on her hips and guided her, and she surrendered to the moment, enjoying the connection and the atmosphere.

As the song ended, Hutch caught Katie’s hand, spun her, and, at The Gals’ urging, dipped her. In the charged pause between songs, a voice cut across the yard: “Hey! Get your hands off my girlfriend!” Katie and Hutch looked up mid-dip to see Cole, abruptly interrupting the moment.