Original subtitles

All right, turkey and cheese, crispy fries.

Oh, good afternoon.

Welcome to Orphey Gene's Soul Kitchen.

My name is June. How may I help you?

June? We've already met.

Trying to be more professional.

Ah. Well, you succeeded.

And you can help me with my to-go order.

I called in the daily special.

Oh, one fried catfish

- with red beans and rice. - Mm-hmm.

Everybody's getting that today. You're lucky.

Huh. Why is that?

You got the last one on the lunch menu.

Like I said, it's real popular.

I put the order in myself. I'll grab it in the back.

- Okay. - Oh, good afternoon.

Welcome to Orphey Gene's Soul Kitchen.

My name is June. How may I help you?

You remember me, June.

From the hospital?

I was one of your nurses.

Sure. It is so good to see you again.

You're picking up?

That's right. I ordered the lunch special.

Ah. Fried catfish with red beans and rice.

You're lucky you got the last one on the menu.

I put the order together myself. Ah!

Uh-oh.

Can you order me something? I'm on my way.

Sure. What do you want?

You.

On a platter.

By the way, I have good news about Heart Attach.

Our clientele is growing and our numbers are way up.

Since I started running it for you,

profits have increased by at least 15%.

So, that means you want...

Maybe a little recognition

for growing your dating service for you?

That sounds like you want a bigger piece of the action.

I want a bigger part of something, that's for sure.

Later, babe.

Yeah, I think I'm excited.

Me too.

Oh, look, there's Vanessa.

Ah! Vanessa McBride!

I'm so glad we ran into you, saved me a phone call.

Get over here.

Hello, Leslie.

- Eva. - Hi.

Is this about your house?

Oh, not even close, honey.

My daughter and I could use your services.

??

The Saperstein litigants

submitted their settlement offer,

we were granted continuance in O'Brien.

And the Emersons reconciled

and want to cancel the divorce proceedings.

Ah.

Well, it'll be too little, it'll be too short,

and it'll never last. In that order.

No doubt, since Bill Hamilton is always right.

Hayley?

Baby, I have something I want to say to you.

That sounds serious.

Thank you.

You're thanking me? For what?

Yesterday.

Oh, when you collapsed?

Yeah, and just because I had forgotten to eat.

I expected you to be on my case by now.

- Why would I do that? - You know what I mean.

You know, telling me to slow down and take it easy

and delegate more of my cases to the associates around here

so I can take better care of myself.

But instead, I come back from the club

and I find you here

helping Caroline organize my cases

and catching me up on the day,

so thank you for keeping things in perspective.

That's just part of being married to the most

powerful attorney in the DMV.

Of necessity,

you are Mr. Go, Go, Go.

Mm. Well, thanks for understanding.

Aw. You're welcome.

Now the next big assignment is waiting for you

right there on your desk.

- Here? - Mm-hmm.

You bought a plane ticket?

- To St. Barts? - Mm-hmm.

- Seriously? - Yes.

The flight leaves in two hours,

so it's time for Mr. Go, Go, Go to go.

The renderings are in the car.

What are you doing here?

I know. I'm here without an invitation,

but that's only because I was worried

I was never gonna get one.

I mean, homework? From a couple's therapist?

To be fair, Trudy has given us things to work on before.

Yeah, but not something like this.

She said to reconnect.

Did you realize it's been that long since we...

I mean, I know we were taking a break,

although that's not what we called it.

Yeah, I guess once I started doing the math

and counting the days, I was kind of surprised.

Yeah, me too.

Jacob, listen,

it wasn't so long in between, um

connections because I don't love you.

And it's not because I was mad or frustrated.

BOTH: I was just trying to give you space...

Nice try.

You need to take what happened seriously, Bill.

Collapsing like that out of the blue?

Look around you.

This firm is teaming up with young lawyers

ready to gobble up anything you delegate to them.

So, hand off some of your work

so you can get the rest you deserve.

Come on, baby.

You make it sound like I'm past my prime.

"All right, old man, it's time for you

to sit on the porch and let the young'uns do all the chores."

Come on, baby, you know that's not what's happening here.

We already figured out what caused me to collapse.

Now, if I just watch what I eat

and make sure I get to the gym, I'm good.

HAYLEY: Should I speed this up?

I can think of ten million answers to that.

BILL: If I escape to the island now,

it'll be just like I'm waving a white flag.

Baby, we already have plans

for our getaway to St. Barts, okay?

Let's not pick threads and pull everything apart.

'Cause I'm not gonna let fear chase me away.

There's nothing I can say to talk you into this?

Oh, Hayley. Honestly, now is simply not a good time.

I have a case going to trial next week.

I have a new client meeting this afternoon.

Plus all the associates' trials and cases

that I have to supervise.

But look, I promise you this, baby.

You and I are gonna spend the holiday break

in St. Barts like we planned,

Relaxing on the beach,

watching the sunset from our new balcony,

and making love in every room in that house.

Meanwhile

you could always take that unlimited credit card

that I gave you and start stocking up on bikinis.

You're gonna need 'em.

You've given me a tough assignment, but

I think I'm up to it.

Oh, I know you are.

I am so sorry about this.

I didn't realize I sold the last order twice.

Eh, well, Shanice, you take it.

No, Ted, I know how much you love Orphey Gene's catfish,

you should have it.

You've been on your feet all morning,

undoubtedly without a break.

I won't deprive you of a well-deserved treat.

And you literally sleep in a hotel room every night.

I know you're sick and tired of that same old room service menu.

You take it.

But the hours you work are pretty much...

All right, already!

Now, look at the two of you tripping over each other

like it's a contest to see who can be the nicest.

Now, somebody better decide who gonna get this fish

or I'm gonna have to cut it in half.

You know what, her idea isn't half bad.

I was gonna eat half

and save the rest for dinner, anyway.

Why don't we sit here

and split it right now? What do you say?

Do I get my own hot sauce

or do we have to share that too?

Maybe you could give me a better idea

of exactly what you and Eva might be interested in.

Well don't just stand there, girl, sit. Join us.

Okay. Something big, right?

What? Slow down, Mama, not too big.

Oh, baby, trust me on this.

It's better to have more than you know what to do with

than to be left with something that will never meet your needs.

Am I right?

I mean, you would know better than most.

Uh, really, that depends on the person.

People's tastes run the gamut,

and of course, there's always the issue of

how much you're willing to spend.

Of course. I mean, size and cost,

you know, they're closely connected.

Well, there has to be a market standard,

otherwise how would anybody know

if they're getting a fair deal?

Well, that really doesn't matter,

because money is no object.

I just want my baby girl to be happy.

This isn't about me or my personal needs.

It's really about the whole community.

The whole community?

You weren't kidding when you said money is no object.

Well, the main thing is location.

A free clinic isn't gonna do anyone any good

if it's not easy for them to get to.

Oh... Oh! This is about real estate.

Of course it's about real estate, Barbie.

What the hell did you think we were talking about?

Eva I were talking about a space for a free clinic.

Yeah, it was really my niece's idea.

Her mom spent a lot of the time on the street unhoused,

you know, and there's not really any place

to get medical care for people in that situation.

I'm very impressed that you want to help in that way.

May I ask how far along in the project you are?

I'd have to imagine that opening a medical clinic,

free or otherwise, is a nightmare of red tape.

Well, I'm kind of learning that the hard way.

Yeah, but you learned a lot managing your father's clinic.

Well, this is way different than that.

I mean, there are a lot of other regulations to sort through.

We actually need your help

before we can even choose a neighborhood.

I mean, you've got to know a lot

about all the zoning issues that we may run into.

I do, of course, but...

May I give you some advice?

Sure, I love it.

Sort through what dealing with the legalities will cost

before you start thinking about

what you want to budget for real estate,

and then get back to me.

You have a real head for business.

I hope so. I own mine.

Well, have you ever considered doing more than real estate?

It's... uh, crossed my mind.

I have a varied set of interests,

but you have to be careful

with whom you align yourself.

You need to trust that your investment

will yield meaningful results.

In the nonprofit world,

that means every dollar has to work harder,

generating the best possible return

to ensure the clinic is sustainable and can continue

serving the community at the highest standard.

Call me if you have more questions,

and good luck.

Well, real estate Barbie suggests a lawyer.

Where do you suppose that we'll even find one?

Could you be any more transparent?

What? Me?

I know what you're thinking,

and I'm done giving Kat Richardson

more reasons to hate me.

You think I'm trying to avoid you, but I'm not.

I'm just busy. I've been at it since before the sun came up.

We're both always crazy busy with work.

That's never gotten in our way before.

Look, if you say being busy

is the real issue, then I won't argue.

But it's hard not to notice that this reason

is coming up right after I asked you to move in with me.

You did kind of freak out.

Okay.

Maybe I'm still trying to work through

all of this over our situations hip.

I thought that we had moved past that

and that we're in a relationship.

- Was I wrong about that? - No. See?

I'm already saying the wrong thing,

and that's what I was trying to avoid.

What would be the wrong thing here?

I don't know.

I-If I did, I would have returned your call.

Look...

I'm sorry, but you kind of caught me off guard.

How? I thought that we were

slowly and steadily moving forward.

Going from a weekend away over Thanksgiving

to cohabitating isn't moving slowly, Tomas.

It feels like we went from third gear to

warp speed.

I thought you wanted to spend more time with me.

I do. What's the rush?

If we slow our roll a little bit,

we'll eventually just start spending more time together

and leaving clothes at each other's places

and gradually get to sharing a space.

But if we know that's where we're going,

I just don't get the delay.

If we both love each other and we agree

this is something we want someday,

why can't we just figure it out and make it happen sooner?

What are you so afraid of?

So we both started talking about wanting space

and not getting in each other's way.

When did that happen?

Well, we're on the same page, at least.

- That's comforting, right? - Yeah, I guess.

I mean, it's not like I haven't wanted to be in sync with you.

It's not like I haven't wanted that either.

Look, I hadn't really given it much thought

until the therapist started asking questions.

But do you think she was right?

About us subconsciously avoiding sex

because we're so far apart on the subject of having children?

And there's that word.

"Sex."

It was never hard to say before, let alone tough to start.

I know.

It makes sense, though, given that it was sort of our

go-to solution for everything.

Yeah.

I miss it, though.

I miss being close to you in that way.

I do, too.

Which brings us back to...

Homework.

Can we please not think of it that way?

Hey, that's cool with me. Talk about a mood killer, right?

Real talk?

After our therapy session

and this oh-so-awkward conversation,

mood is gonna be hard to come by.

You want to quit therapy?

No. No, not at all. That's not what I'm saying.

I like that we're doing therapy.

It's just right now, this all feels so

unnatural.

Um, where are you going?

I've got to go take care of something, I'll text you after.

Wait, wait, you're leaving? In the middle of this?

You'll be glad I did.

Trust me.

Not quite the reaction we got at the country club.

You'll be well-known at Fairmont Crest

among patrons and staff alike.

I loved that moment, I loved that kiss.

Well, if it's a rise

you want to get out of people,

I can clear my check and we can head right over there.

The only person I'm trying to get a rise out of is you.

You never disappoint in that department, dear.

We have had our fair share of red-hot moments.

But if you ask me, the hottest one was when

you walked into that country club

in front of Fairmont Crest's snottiest

and gave everyone an eyeful

when you planted that soul-stirring kiss

square on my adoring lips.

Because it wasn't about what it made

those stiff-necked divas like Anastasia think.

It was about what it made me feel.

And what was that feeling, exactly?

That this is the start of something great.

No, I couldn't talk him into leaving town with me.

You know how he is.

When he has his mind set on something,

he's like a dog with a bone.

Coz, I am lucky

I was able to talk him out of going to the hospital

when he collapsed.

Look, I know this stuff won't show up in his system,

but we still don't need doctors probing for answers.

If something like that happens again,

I need him isolated.

- [knocking] - Yep?

Your next appointment is here, Bill.

Oh, great. Bring them in.

Ah.

Bill Hamilton at your service.

Lynette Wise. How do you do?

Excellent.

I've heard a lot about you

as I was casting about for an attorney.

One who could be dogged, yet discreet.

You've got quite the reputation as both.

Yeah, well, we pride ourselves here

on giving our clients first-class service.

So tell me, what brings you in today?

Trouble.

Lots of it.

You think this is about fear?

I'm not basic and I don't fold the second things get tough.

I am the blueprint, okay? And don't forget it.

Okay, "afraid" was the wrong word.

But I keep getting the feeling that you think

moving in together is gonna mess us up

instead of bringing us closer together, and I don't get why.

Seeing each other exclusively is one thing,

doing it without a break is another.

You're talking about upping the intensity by, like, 1,000%.

I thought we already did that

when we both said "I love you."

You know what I mean.

I wish I did.

When we were away, we were around each other 24/7

and there were no issues.

None.

Unless

you were faking all of that passion.

Not a chance.

And the tenderness?

That was all me, all us, no act.

Doesn't that mean we passed the test?

Look, I'm not trying to pressure you.

I just want to understand your no.

You and me... we've had ups, downs,

and times we both walked away.

But we got through it all.

Whenever I see you, I'm just struck.

By what?

Perfection.

You are perfection, Kat.

Why wouldn't I want to be around that all the time?

I'd be crazy not to want that.

- I owe you a thank you. - Mmm.

What magical feat did I accomplish this time?

For interrupting my grand plan.

Oh.

Which was?

Well, order the catfish,

take it to my hotel

and warm it up in the microwave.

Oh. That sounds

sad.

Ah, what's better is that you saved me

from having my room smell like catfish

until housekeeping could come around again.

What's that like?

Living in a hotel? I mean, it sounds crazy to me.

Oh, there's nothing like it. There's always someone

- to clean up after me. - Mm.

Everything I want is a phone call away

or a quick walk to the front desk.

And best of all, there's this

constant renewing neighbors situation.

You don't like someone?

Eh, they'll be gone in a few days.

I think you're overselling it.

- Maybe you're right. - Mm.

It's a strange rhythm,

and it's sterile.

You know, work is sterile enough,

but to come home to it?

Big empty bed, you know,

dumb chitchat with the people in the hallway

you'll never see again.

What's the very worst part?

Mm.

Besides the toaster waffles in the hotel dining area?

Mm.

Eating alone.

All the time.

But you have family, though, right?

Sure.

I see my kids,

I see my grandkids,

Uh, Andre, sometimes.

But I am the king of takeout.

So, splitting a meal with you,

enjoying it together

that's a treat.

Well, you weren't underselling

the position you find yourself in.

And according to this, you have more than one problem.

There's your arrest

on embezzlement charges from the bank you worked for.

Okay, well, I'm currently out on bail, as you can see.

And then there's the lawsuit that the bank filed

for reparation and damages.

But you can hardly blame them for wanting their money back.

But the question is,

are they asking the wrong person for it?

You know, that's true.

I never really thought about it that way before.

That's the difference a fresh pair of

experienced and knowledgeable eyes can make.

Well, you haven't asked me if I'm innocent.

Because I am.

Well, that's good to hear.

Yeah, but you get a spirited defense either way.

- Music to my ears. - All right.

Well, we'll get this handled before it gains any traction,

and those charges go away, and so do your troubles.

I know you didn't want to go public about us, but...

I'm glad you let go of your reservations.

You do know that was me protecting you, right?

And a very sweet gesture, but luckily I don't need protecting.

So, what do you need?

To be loved.

This, us... it... it feels right.

I'm still getting used to it.

But I'm working on that.

You go from wanting to hide us from the world

to not being able to keep your hands off me in public.

Joey Armstrong, you are a mysterious creature.

Mystery is a byproduct of my line of work.

As for my hands...

I don't know, they just

have a mind of their own.

Maybe it's time for us to talk about what's next.

I thought we were already on to what's next.

Oh, baby, you and I are just getting started.

I'm not doing this with you anymore,

and I'm not calling Tomas.

You disappoint me, girl.

You need to recognize an opportunity

when it's slapping you in your face.

The only slapping in your scenario

will be done by Kat, so, no thank you.

Even though she can't whoop me.

I thought I raised a daughter who knew how

to fight for what she wants.

You did, but you're the one who still thinks

I want Tomas, and I don't.

You sure about that?

I am liking what I see in Izaiah,

and getting to spend more time with him at WinterFest,

well, things are moving along in a good way.

Besides, if we need a lawyer,

there are plenty of them out there besides Tomas.

You got my text.

I did, but I'm a little confused.

I'm just ditching the homework for some recreation.

Come on.

Wow.

You feeling that or am I doing too much?

I-I don't know.

This all feels

odd. I mean, I'm still in my work clothes,

I don't look or feel sexy.

Close your eyes.

Just close 'em.

What are we doing, dancing?

Not even. Close 'em.

- Okay. - Relax, baby.

- Relax. - Okay.

Baby, what's wrong?

What's going on?

Uh, it's hard to explain.

This just feels...

I've made love to you in so many ways

in a number of places, but it's never felt

forced.

You shouldn't be eating alone all the time.

I don't know why you do that.

You have a million friends.

You and Dr. Dupree were like the social king and queen.

We hung out with couples.

Single friends

the best one I had was Carlton.

You miss him.

Well, we've been friends a long time.

I guess I always knew he had a admiration for Nicole.

I mean, who wouldn't?

She's poised and kind and beautiful.

Yeah, tell me something I don't know.

Sometimes I have this foot-in-mouth disease.

I-I was not trying to be insensitive.

No, you're just speaking facts.

I don't see how Carlton and I could remain friends,

knowing he's been waiting all this time to pounce.

Although he may have some competition.

Nicole brought a different guy to WinterFest

when Carlton couldn't make it.

You said a while ago

that you couldn't stand in the way

if Nicole thought she could be happy

with Dr. Fitzgerald.

Hmm.

I did say that.

But I was probably trying to impress you

with how magnanimous I could be.

Well, you did impress me,

so don't blow it.

There's still a bit of cobbler left.

You take it.

No, you take it.

Okay.

I'm a surgeon. I can handle it.

Now...

I'm sorry about Dr. Fitz...

About Carlton.

- Mm. - And the revolving door

of neighbors you'll never quite get to know.

But as far as friends go,

you've still got me.

Jacob, this is like something from a movie,

and I don't want to

criticize you or make you feel bad,

because you've done nothing wrong.

I think it's this assignment.

And I don't think Trudy meant to do this,

but she's taken everything that makes reconnecting special

and turned it into math.

Ah, it's, uh, hard to explain.

- You don't agree? - It's not that.

I just want to do right by you, by us.

We hit this cold streak and haven't worked through it,

and now I felt all this pressure trying to get us past it.

You see, and that honestly makes me feel more pressure.

Look, we have plenty time before our next appointment,

which gives us a lot of time to work through it.

Right, with all the overnight shifts you've been working

and all my extra cases...

If we want it bad enough, we'll make it happen.

You know, you really did make this place look nice, baby.

I could've done a lot better if I had more time.

I could have put on some Barry White...

Please.

So, should we go?

Nah. I mean, the room's already paid for.

And I'll put our Paramount+ password in the TV.

Want to watch a movie?

Sure, let's do it.

TOMAS: I really hope I didn't say anything off-base.

I'm not used to women turning away

when I tell them how amazing they are.

Maybe we should talk about how many women

you've said this to before we go any further.

No fair.

We can talk about my history any time,

but I don't think that's what's holding you back.

- Just say it, Kat. - I don't want to say it.

It's humiliating to say

the oldest relationship cliche in the book.

It's not you, it's me.

Yeah, you're right.

I've heard that one.

But it's true. Now.

From me.

Look, I talked to my brother about this earlier,

but it's harder to say to you.

The truth is,

I'm afraid if we move in together now,

you'll realize how much you don't actually like me.

- But Kat, that's absolutely... - Stop it, Tomas.

If you try to convince me it's not true,

I'll know you're a liar. But, the reality is,

I'm not easy.

You've seen it up close. I'm damned hard.

Which makes this whole thing

really risky to you,

and for me.

There are some things we should probably get settled.

- Settled? - You know, parameters.

Things understood but not spoken.

Ground rules.

Am I gonna like where this is going?

You know I'll never cramp your style.

I like your style, probably way too much,

but we need to go into this

acknowledging that your line of work

can be a little dangerous.

No argument there.

So who's going to call me if you get hurt?

You want to be my emergency contact?

I want to be in the loop.

Well, I don't intend to get hurt,

so let's just leave it at that.

But it's possible.

So you'd find a way to let me know, right?

Babe, don't ask me to promise things that I can't deliver on.

I mean, there are people that would use

information like that to their advantage.

I'm just asking to know how you are.

Wouldn't you want to know how I am?

That's different.

If I really matter, you'd find a way to let me know.

Simple. You-you came and kissed me in the club.

You came to tell me I matter.

I-I can't be worried

thinking that you're dead in a ditch somewhere.

Well, then I'll just do what I can to not end up in a ditch.

Don't joke.

What if you were in the hospital?

I wouldn't even be able to be in the room

- because I'm not family. - And I don't want another wife.

I did that. It didn't take.

So, what do you want from me?

Weren't you just listening?

I want commitment.

Do you hear yourself?

Your husband's not even cold in his grave.

You didn't want to be my dirty little secret,

fine.

You're not.

But, Vanessa, you need to finish grieving your husband

before this gets any more serious.

My mistake. I thought this was serious.

I don't know why Doug needs to be an issue between us

when it is nobody's issue but mine.

Then let's fix your issue,

which is that you can't be happy with what I'm willing to give.

Because I want this to be something more than a gesture?

If you ask me,

this is you running scared.

Oh, Vanessa.

There are few things in this world that I'm scared of.

Including getting hurt again?

- I am not your ex-wife, Joey. - That's not what I'm talking...

I would never cheat on you.

All right.

You pushed me to where I didn't want to go.

I let you do that. But now?

You're pushing too far. I can't do this now.

Sure, Kat, you're a handful.

I've said that before. But have you considered

that I might be okay with that?

Sometimes things that are hard are better because they're hard.

Anybody can do easy.

You'll say anything at this point.

You're a lawyer, you get off on arguing.

But we both know you were ready to walk away

because I wasn't making it easy.

You didn't like the way I treated Eva,

and it was nearly enough to put an end to us.

Move in with me, and you could wind up

facing challenges like that all the time.

But you're forgetting all the other things

on the other side of that.

And don't I get to be the judge of what's too much for me?

Look.

I am who I am.

And if we do this, I need to have faith

that I won't end up on that bed crying my eyes out

because I know I'm the one that messed things up for us.

I am in love with you.

But it was not too long ago that I held my mom tight

the night she found out about my dad and Leslie.

I could literally feel her pain.

I don't want that for myself.

Please?

I just need to be sure.

And there's nothing you can say, nothing you can promise.

I just need to get there.

Can you respect that?

Okay, we'll do it your way.

Thank you.

You sure that's a good idea?

Why not?

I mean, she's smart and connected

and maybe just the right person

to help us figure out what we need to do legally

in order to get this clinic idea off the ground.

She's going to say no.

And if she does, that's on you.

But I inherited your power of persuasion,

so here goes nothing.

[sniffles]

You okay?

I can't believe I'm tearing up over

a silly movie.

Just doesn't feel rational.

They've got so much stacked up against them, and...

They belong together.

Just not sure it's gonna work out.

I just want to feel hope for them, you know?

- God, is that crazy? - No, it's not crazy.

I want the same thing for them, too.

You do?

Yes, baby, so much.

??

Well, obviously I'll have a number of questions

for you about all this, but in the meantime...

HAYLEY: Bill, I...

Oh, I'm-I'm sorry, I'm interrupting.

No, it's okay, babe.

You know, I'm just meeting with a new client.

Hayley, meet Lynette Wise.

Lynette, meet Hayley Hamilton.

Who is this fun-loving adventuress?

NICOLE: Nicole Dupree, phase two.

I invited someone.

- Randy? - Long time no see.

You're saying Vernon Dupree had an affair?

No, is having an affair. Present tense.

With?

I came here to cheer you up,

and here I am sticking my foot in my mouth.

No news there.

I'm surprised the honeymoon phase has lasted this long.

He's the real deal.

So why do you need me in your bedroom?

To help you with all the, uh, presents?

More along the lines of unwrapping the presents.

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