Katie squeezes Hutch into Rue’s Mini Cooper and helps with his seat belt, leading to a close, charged moment. Hutch pulls her into a brief hug and says he saved them both from using the "hall pass," signaling he is fighting their attraction. On the drive to the marina, Hutch admits the alcohol is hitting him.

Back at the dock, Katie supports Hutch physically as they head to his houseboat, the Rue the Day, while he insists he can manage. At the door, Hutch fumbles with the padlock until Katie unlocks it. When she urges him to go inside, Hutch refuses to open the door while she is near, finally admitting he is trying "really, really hard not to kiss" her.

Katie tells Hutch he can kiss her because he "won" Cole’s drinking-game dare and claims she gives permission, but Hutch rejects the premise, distinguishing a dare from true consent and stressing that kissing his brother’s girlfriend would violate his values. He criticizes their earlier kiss as something that should not have happened once he believed she was with Cole, and questions Katie’s choices.

Katie hints that there is a reason it would be okay, but she refuses to explain the lie about being Cole’s girlfriend. She debates kissing Hutch herself to exploit a loophole, then realizes he would blame himself and she would be culpable, too, if she acted while he believed the relationship with Cole was real. She decides there is no ethical workaround.

As the standoff continues, Hutch asks Katie to leave, and both struggle with the temptation. George Bailey barks from inside, breaking the tension. Hutch sighs and says he should go in, and Katie agrees, ending the scene without a kiss or confession.