Original subtitles

I know my husband, and I could tell something's

getting to him.

I just...

can't figure out for the life of me what that is.

This sounds like we need to go deeper than just stress.

Well, he started opening up about his time in Europe.

He said that the man we see now

isn't who he was back then.

That he threw himself into partying

and did things he wasn't proud of.

That's not news. You two have been together

long enough to have swapped war stories.

I thought so, too,

but he said I don't know everything.

And before he could explain, Chelsea walked in,

and the moment was gone.

And now, you're thinking whatever Andre didn't say

is still sitting on his chest.

I think it's haunting him.

But I cannot figure out why.

I knew you wouldn't be able to stay away.

I'm just here to talk.

[Andre clears throat]

If I remember correctly, some of my favorite

conversations with you were pillow talk.

And the bedroom's right through that door.

Look, no games, okay? I already told you why I came.

Yeah, well, plans can change.

Mine can't.

I am so over this square version of you, Andre.

It's really annoying me.

I want my fun Andre back.

[knock on door]

Enter.

Sister Wilson.

Risking your soul

in Satan's playground again?

[chuckles] My soul is never at risk.

Stopped by to check on Randy,

but seems I wasted a trip.

Yeah, he's out handling some business.

You could take a crack at saving my soul,

since you're in the neighborhood.

Above my pay grade.

A few hands of poker, then?

Give me a chance to win back the money you took from me.

Under false pretenses, I might add.

Never said I wasn't a card player.

-You implied it. -You assumed.

I have been eyeing a new fridge,

the kind that plays music and writes the grocery list for you.

By all means.

Oh, no. I'm not falling for that innocent act again.

You deal.

Seven card stud?

All thumbs, my ass.

[chuckling]

♪ ♪

Thank you for letting me interrupt

your peaceful, teen-free afternoon.

Nicole, you are never interrupting, you know that.

And stay as long as you want,

especially if one of these are for me.

It is not.

I brought over a little dormwarming gift for Tyrell.

Oh, you just missed him.

Samantha dragged him out to the movies.

Shower slides?

Just what every college freshman dreams of.

Do you know what no college kid dreams of?

Foot fungus.

Did either of you decide to get him

some shower shoes before sending him off to a communal bathroom?

Thought not.

And I got a little something for Samantha

so she didn't feel left out.

Samantha is heading into her senior year.

She has college apps and a social life

I can't even keep up with.

I think she'd be fine with a gift gap.

Oh, don't be so sure.

In this family, we count everything.

Martin and Kat still debate

who gets the most Christmas presents.

Oh, no, no, no, there's no debate.

-Martin. -Mom, Kat is your miracle child.

She couldn't have been worshipped more,

even if she was born in a manger.

Oh, apparently, this wound runs deep.

If only we had an expert psychiatrist

to help you work through these sensitive issues.

Oh, I have tried treating his gift-counting obsession.

Unfortunately, some things are even beyond my reach.

Ah, good. You saved me a text.

Need something?

Yeah, for you to cover me at the next peer review meeting.

Got something personal I'm trying to lock in on that day.

Mm. My dear Ted,

if you want me to endure that type of suffering

on your behalf, I am going to need a little more than that.

I'm meeting Shanice's brothers.

-Oh. -Mm-hmm.

Good luck.

From the way Shanice tells it, they are a pair of hellions

when it comes to protecting their sister.

Doesn't mean I can't win them over.

Okay, well, since it is such a worthy cause,

I will do my part and sub in.

But meeting the family... [whistles]

...it's a big step.

It's the right step, Carlton.

I mean, what Shanice and I have is-is real,

and I should start treating it as such. Yeah?

I see where this is going.

So, let me just say, preemptively,

that I won't be mad if you don't ask me to stand up for you

like I did at your first wedding.

You-you jumped a few spaces on the game board there, buddy.

It's a meal, not a marriage proposal.

But you don't meet the family casually.

I believe the term "love bombing" was invented for you.

-Now, that's a lie. -Hmm.

You remember Tuskegee?

Undergrad?

Veda Barnes?

-We're not doing this. -Oh, we absolutely are.

You see, Veda was your Nicole before Nicole,

at least in your head.

-I was young. -And ambitious.

Enough to spend a couple weeks

planning out the perfect first date.

What-what was that again?

Uh, dinner.

Candlelight dinner on the lawn by the oaks,

followed by a slow walk past the chapel

while the band practiced in the distance.

I wanted her to have a night she would remember.

Instead, you did,

after her husband showed up.

You know what?

Since we're going down memory lane,

why don't we talk about med school Carlton

and your, uh, Kid 'n Play House Partythreads.

-My high-top fade. -It was a choice.

It was a choice, Carlton. A questionable one.

Still had pull.

Mm. Quantity is not quality.

It was hella weird when I was seeing Nicole, wasn't it?

We managed.

At least we're still speaking, huh?

-Mostly smack talk. -Ah, better than nothing.

I was thinking about putting together

a little dinner party, but I don't want to step

on any plans for Tyrell

the two of you might have in the works.

Oh, uh, we were thinking more low-key,

if anything at all.

Mainly because it's been so hard

to forecast Tyrell's mood lately.

He's sunny one minute, stormy the next.

-Jessica? -She broke up with him.

Ouch. Poor baby.

He's taking it pretty hard.

Of course he is. First love is its own category of pain.

-We all remember that feeling. -Unfortunately.

And he's leaving home for the first time.

That's a lot to process for anybody,

let alone a young man who waited so long

to find a home that he felt safe in.

Well, it's been hard to pull anything out of him these days,

so maybe his grandma will have better luck.

'Nuff said. I will reach out.

But what about his daddies?

Or should I say "almost empty nesters"?

Ah...

Honestly,

I'm kind of in my feels about it.

When those kids came home, they needed a lot.

And you were there for all of it.

Now, they're older and more independent.

I mean, obviously, I went back to work,

so I wasn't just sitting around, but

coming home to an empty house

after years of noise

and fighting and laughing, I...

I don't know what to do with that yet.

I cried for a week when Martin left for Banneker.

And how many weeks did you cry when Kat left?

-[laughing] -Watch it.

What if some work thing happened in Europe?

An assignment that went sideways?

Mm, if it was professional, he'd tell me.

Something personal, then.

Leaked nudes? A sex tape?

His parents had died.

He was young, wealthy, adrift.

That cocktail can't lead to good decisions.

-You would know. -I would.

My modeling days were a blur.

Parties, the men, the sex,

flying from one country to another

before the stamp on my passport even dried.

-Sounds like a fast life. -Too fast.

That's why I held Chelsea in check when she started modeling.

She hated my rules.

But now, she is a responsible businesswoman,

-in part thanks to you... -Yeah.

...leaving a strong foundation.

But Andre didn't have that.

He was on his own.

Which could lead to him doing something embarrassing.

Embarrassing I can handle, but this feels heavier.

We made a deal-- total honesty-- and now, he's holding back.

No, I... I can own...

I know I haven't kept up my end, either.

But Andre's different.

He's not me.

When he gives his word, he means it.

Except now, apparently.

I hate to go there, truly,

but what if this has nothing to do with Europe or his past?

What if what is haunting him is recent and he confesses to...

having an affair?

It'll sting.

But we'll deal with it.

How?

By being honest right back and confessing yours?

Ugh! If you're not gonna accept my indecent proposal,

then why are you wasting my time?

Because. [stammers] I need answers.

Why are you hanging around my wife and her best friend?

Oh, we're in a club.

Beautiful Babes Bitches be Jealous of.

Beautiful Babes for short.

Okay, and-and this came about coincidentally?

Look, I'm just trying to get to know my brother's partner,

and she happens to be thick as thieves with Dani,

so it's like fate served your wife to me

on a silver platter.

But you once told me that you believed

in making your own fate.

So, forgive me if I'm not buying this whole

accidental run-in story.

You know what I will give you?

You know how to pick them.

Dani is the life of the party.

She's so fun.

We have so much in common talking about fashion,

and she just didn't quite realize

exactly how much we have in common.

Andre, that kiss.

I can't stop thinking about it.

I can still feel your lips on mine.

I can taste your minty mouthwash,

the amount of electricity that goes down my body

-when I'm close to you. -Heather...

I want your lips all over me.

-Heather. -Now.

-Stop. -Why?

-Because I am married, okay? -I won't hold it against you.

I am much more interested

in what you're gonna hold against me.

Can you explain something to me?

How is it you go from holy to high roller

the second you walk through my door?

Are the two mutually exclusive?

Oh. I've seen men in $5,000 suits

leave this room in tears, but you?

You cash out like you just finished Bible study.

You sure you weren't a hustler in a former life?

My origin story starts

in the basement of my parents' church.

Saturday night bingo.

Bingo?

Don't knock it. It was my gateway game.

Ooh, I got bit by the bug.

So, I started studying.

Blackjack first, then poker.

It was the combination of

luck and skill that really hooked me.

Oh, I'm sure the money had nothing to do with it.

Now, it's my turn to pry.

You're not letting me win, are you?

Say that again.

I was wondering if

maybe something inside of you thought

that letting me walk out of here with your money

was your way of giving back without anyone realizing it.

Like some backdoor way to absolve you of your sins.

There's only one thing you need to know about me, Mona.

I only play to win.

I don't know that this is a quid pro quo situation

and that me telling Andre about the elevator sex

will open some secret vault of truth from him.

Anyways, he's not cheating with another woman.

-How can you be sure? -Bill.

-Here we go. -No, no, no, no, it's not what you think.

I have a PhD in spotting infidelity

thanks to my lying, philandering ex,

and I'm not picking up on any of those signs in Andre.

No, I-I sense this is something else entirely.

The other day, he was at Uptown day drinking.

He got drunk, Vanessa, alone.

So much that Grayson called Ashley

to have me come pry him from the bar.

You're right. That is not cheating bastard behavior.

More tortured soul.

I-- Maybe he's having an existential crisis.

Or wanderlust?

Ten years gallivanting around the globe,

living with reckless abandon.

Maybe he misses those days.

Maybe he feels trapped.

Um, I'm good. I'm not gonna be here long enough for that.

Oh, you're welcome to spend the night.

Relax, relax.

Why don't I pitch a hands-free

reminiscing session?

If it becomes, uh, an immersive experience, then so be it.

Heather, for the last time, I love my wife.

Andre, I'm not asking for a lifetime commitment.

It's just one night.

-Okay, um... -You know what I think?

I think you're afraid that, if you're with me again...

...you'll never leave.

When you're in the throes of ecstasy with Dani...

...do you ever think about me?

-Or us? -Not once.

Whether I'm with my wife or not,

Dani is the only woman on my mind.

I'm not doing anything to hurt her.

Like keeping secrets?

Oh, wait. You're already doing that,

so what's one more?

Stop, Heather.

I already told you I don't play about my marriage.

I want you in my bed.

If you keep rejecting me,

I'm not going to take it well.

Fine. If you're not gonna play with me,

I'll find someone else who will play with me tonight.

Look, I-I'm just being real, okay?

You and me, it is not gonna happen.

We'll see.

I...

Well, I should scoot. I have a session,

and then Kial is treating me to a Nationals game.

Kial, the chosen one.

You seem happy with your decision.

There is no "seems" about it.

Kial makes me very happy.

And we love that for you.

You deserve it, Mom.

Well, keep me in the loop about Tyrell's party, all right?

-Love you. Mwah. -Mwah. -Love you, too.

[knock on door]

Hey, sorry to drop in.

I should've texted or called or made an appointment.

Nephew.

No, seriously, if you have a patient...

Sit.

Was it that bad?

What are you talking about?

The hospital visit with Bill.

Oh. You heard about that?

Bill told me.

I know there's no love lost, but Bill and I have history.

Despite I don't like how he treated Dani,

when I needed somebody in my corner, he was there.

I've realized that Bill is like that-that pothole on Canal Road.

No matter how many times you think the problem is fixed,

it just comes back bigger and more annoying than ever.

So, I'm just gonna focus on my wife.

And avoid Bill as much as humanly possible.

Good for you.

I probably should've taken that same route with Dana.

Oh. It's a good thing you brought her up.

Uh, Leslie's the reason I came by.

I am done dissecting my marriage for today.

Let's switch to your life. How's Deanna?

I haven't seen her this giddy

since she got her driver's license.

-That boy has just... -[phone buzzing]

Hang on.

Oh. Hang on. It's Heather.

Hmm.

Uh, hey, girl, you're on with Dani and me.

Ah, I was hoping she'd be with you.

How about the Beautiful Babes get together for a drink?

-[mouths]: Beautiful Babes? -Uh, I'll explain l-later.

Uh, wh-when were you thinking?

Um, now. Like, drop a pin.

I'll come meet you. Drinks on moi.

I can't today. I am meeting with a designer to discuss plans

for the casino, and then I'm getting together with Joey.

Ugh. Well, your loss.

Dani, Vanessa's tapping out. How about you?

Want to get a drink or two?

Or three?

Oh, you know I'm always down for a good time.

Great.

But not today.

I have work to do and,

hopefully, plans with my husband.

Well...

I can promise you I'm more fun.

Tempting, but no. Rain check?

Yeah, soon. We'll-we'll do it properly.

You ladies are killing me.

All right, yeah, soon.

Uh, I'm gonna hold you to it.

-VANESSA: We know you will. -DANI: Can't wait.

[groans loudly]

[yells]

What's Dana stirring up now?

It's not about what she's done lately.

Oh, so you're delving into my past?

I got questions about you.

About Aunt Nicole.

About how you did what you did with Leslie

for as long as you did it.

-I've asked you before... -And the answer has not changed.

I'm not cheating on Dani.

Then why are we having this conversation?

Because I need to understand something, Uncle Ted.

You...

-You told me the why. -Mm-hmm.

I'm asking...

about the how.

How you lived with it. During, after.

How you managed to sit across from your wife every morning,

even sharing a bed with her, knowing what you did.

You know, after I chose to stay with Nicole after Kat was born,

I compartmentalized.

Told myself the affair was over.

Dragging it back up would just cause more harm.

I'm not gonna lie, Bill chasing Dana out of town

could've helped.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Mm, no, not actually. I mean, I didn't forget what I'd done.

It just made it easier to carry.

So you had to learn to live with it?

You don't learn to live with it. It lives with you.

Every time Nicole would look at me

like I was a good man or a good husband...

...I knew I'd failed her.

Are you in trouble, Andre?

Nothing I can't handle.

You know, that's the exact same thing I told myself about Dana.

Well, we had one too many tequilas,

and suddenly, we had a club name that stuck.

Well, I cannot wait to get the Beautiful Babes

back together because I have questions.

Starting with how are she and Joey related?

I have my questions, too.

And what does that mean? I thought you liked her.

You've been defending her to Joey, me, Andre.

Maybe Joey's concerns are starting to get to me.

Just...

try not to get too enamored by her.

Mrs. McBride. Ms. Dupree.

Uh, sorry to interrupt, but if you need more time,

I can wait in reception.

Oh, no, no, don't be silly.

I actually do have work to do,

and with this casino refresh,

it seems like you have your work cut out for you.

Vandana, until we meet again.

Jaylen, thank you for coming.

Please make yourself comfortable.

Look, I was pleased to get your call.

-You come highly recommended. -Mm-hmm.

What is your calendar looking like?

Uh... well, so that's the thing, right?

I'm already committed to a project

here at Fairmont Crest, and the client is

very demanding and confusing.

She wants the style of a house,

but the functionality of a studio.

A shouse.

Have you ever heard of such a thing?

More than I'd care to from that particular homeowner.

Well, look, let me see here. Um...

The earliest I could slot you in would be, uh,

end of September?

Oof. I was thinking much sooner.

Uh-huh.

How is your calendar now?

For a retainer like that? Does tomorrow work for you?

Tomorrow's grand.

The bonus if you can finish in a week.

Oh. A week it is.

You move pretty fast, Mrs. McBride.

It's easy when you know what you want.

And I'm trying to minimize any loss of revenue

and disruption for my partner.

Makes sense.

Now, that's the Lake View Casino, right?

Joey Armstrong's property?

That it is.

Okay, and Joey Armstrong is your partner?

In every sense of the word.

Mm. Well, look, I'll make sure everything goes off

without a hitch.

I know how beneficial it is to keeping him happy.

Trust me,

you'll want to keep us both happy.

There. That's what I owe you.

Unless you're also coming for the deed to my condo.

-Maybe next time. -Hold up.

-Did I miss something? -Yes. A masterclass.

Mona here just took me for a couple grand.

Don't look so shocked.

I told you I was full of surprises.

I did come here to see you, though.

It seems like this is the only place

you're showing up to lately.

It surely hasn't been church.

-RANDY: I've been busy. -I bet.

Regional choir competition is coming up,

and we need a strong tenor.

I appreciate the offer, but, uh,

isn't choir practice every week?

If you make the cut.

Oh, I'm sure I'll make the cut.

It's just, I may have some...

commitment issues.

Go. Audition.

You s-serious, boss?

If you make it, we'll adjust your schedule.

Go use your voice for something better

than intimidating unruly gamblers.

I think I can hold down the fort.

Thanks for the game

and for your amazing grace

when it comes to Randy.

His eye is on the sparrow.

Apparently yours is, too.

Hey, Andre.

Is he okay?

Uh...

Not sure. Um, something's weighing on him.

He's just not ready to say what it is yet.

Well, I'm sure Dani will get it out of him. She always does.

Do you have a minute?

Of course. What's up?

I owe you an apology.

If this is about you eating the last power bar

in the break room, I forgave you.

I wish it were that. It would be much easier.

Um...

before Kat was born,

when you were doing your hormone shots and appointments,

dealing with one disappointment after another every month.

You were fighting for us, for our family,

and you needed your husband to tell you

that you weren't broken.

Instead, I left you alone. I deserted you.

And I gave another woman

parts of me that belong to you.

We have already discussed this, Ted.

-I made peace with it. -Doesn't mean that I did.

I had a talk with Andre today,

and as I was saying these things out loud...

...I realized I never said them to you.

I failed you, Nicole.

Not just as a husband, but as a man.

And I apologize for that.

-You've already... -And I will never

stop apologizing, as many times as it takes.

There's no good reason. There's no excuse for what I did.

And you deserve...

...so much better.

Did I just see Randy and Mona in the parking lot,

or was I hallucinating?

No, your vision is 20/20.

The enforcer and the evangelist just left

for choir practice.

Singing?

I never would have guessed.

Turns out I have a tenor in my employ and I didn't know it.

And Mona-- she goes to casinos now?

Oh, she does more than that.

Aside from cleaning my clock, she came to check on Randy.

In what way?

There's a spark there.

Oh, please.

That is almost as ridiculous

as Hayley and Randy hitting the sheets.

Mrs. Bill Hamilton and Randy?

Well, that's an interesting notion,

Dani and the girls seem to think so, too.

They've connected dots, drawn charts,

probably have a whole PowerPoint presentation

on the so-called affair by now.

Well, I haven't seen Hayley around much,

so I really have nothing to contribute.

Well, Dani is hoping that, if Bill catches Hayley cheating,

he'll toss her out and then she'll be

out of everyone's hair for good.

-You're getting that look. -What look?

You know, that glazed look in your eyes.

I'm gossiping too much again, aren't I?

No, I love it when you talk.

I just like it better

when your lips are closer.

-Hey. -Hi.

You working on Dupree-Curtis business?

-Uh-huh. -I can make myself scarce if you need to concentrate.

Oh, no. Mm-mm-mmm. I will finish later.

I would rather spend time with my husband,

especially after he sprinted out

of the country club like he was dodging a subpoena.

-Dani, it's-it's not... -Bill?

I know.

The other day, you started opening up about Europe,

and you were on the verge of sharing something important

when we were interrupted.

Well, I'm here now.

So tell me.

What happened?

Justicia Caliente, right?

Pardon?

That spicy margarita you ordered.

-Oh. -When you were here earlier.

Yeah, I enjoyed it.

-Another? -Please.

And don't be stingy. I've had quite the day.

CARLTON: How spicy we talking?

-Too spicy for you. -Mm.

That is a bold assumption, especially coming from a woman

who hasn't even met me.

It's just an observation.

Any man sitting at a bar with his tie

still cinched on the top button fighting for oxygen

probably can't handle the heat.

Maybe I just need a reason to loosen the tie.

Have a taste.

Mmm.

That'll wake you up.

I'll take one of those, please.

Extra spicy.

-I know that look. -Mm-hmm.

Do you?

It have a name?

Yes.

The "I desperately need a distraction" look.

It was staring back at me in the mirror earlier.

Well, a few of those should do the trick.

At least for tonight.

HEATHER: Oh.

Think you can handle it?

Oh, wow.

I would proceed with caution.

That one has a bite.

I'll take my chances.

Martin?

Don't be mad.

We said naps, as in together,

not "congressman ditches his husband mid-spoon."

I tried, I really did.

I was out for a solid five minutes,

but the committee chair started texting.

Revisions on that education bill.

I would've gotten up.

You were so peaceful.

And honestly, seeing you hugged up on that pillow

instead of me was motivation to get this done quicker.

It's fine.

We will have plenty of time to nap in the future.

Probably more time than we know what to do with.

You mean once it's just us in the house again?

Yep.

Look, you gave up a lot to raise our kids.

You made sacrifices, too.

But you more than anyone.

You could've had a thriving career as a journalist,

but you put all of that on pause.

And after that, went back to work

and managed to be present as before.

Let's not pretend I was perfect, though.

Look, if we're gonna do a tally

on who had the most withouts,

my column would be a lot longer.

Martin, you deserve your flowers, too.

Hey, I'm-I'm being serious.

You taught Tyrell how to carry himself like a man.

You taught Samantha not to be afraid of her own strength.

Yes, you were demanding, but you didn't ask anybody

to do something you wouldn't do yourself.

You set the tone for us. You...

You set a standard.

For everybody. Including me.

-I appreciate you saying that. -Martin, stop. Okay?

You were-slash-are a great father.

Yeah, I'm in my feels about the kids leaving.

But...

there is nobody

I would rather sit in the quiet with than you.

So, my man is officially back off work?

And all yours.

Now, we can resume that nap before your appointment later.

Nah. I think I have a better idea.

You really went for the gold.

-Is that a sofa? -Yup.

In my poker room?

In your renovated poker room.

I figured it'd be more comfortable than the card table

when you hit the jackpot, so to speak.

-Just one problem. -Oh, what now?

It's the poker table.

You see, if we're gonna retire it...

...I want to take it for one last spin.

That was really bothering me.

You're getting hot under the collar.

You have no idea.

I would love to return the favor.

Back at my place.

I don't go to second locations with strangers.

Mm.

I bring 'em back to mine.

You have a problem with that?

Not at all.

Good. Well then.

Oh, wait, before... Please.

Please tell me that you're not married.

-No. No way. -Good.

Never went down that road.

No, me either. Okay, I'll get the ride.

-You get the bill? -It's already handled.

You're right.

Things have been off.

And yes, it's about what happened in Europe.

Baby, I just want to protect you.

From what?

Andre, I survived Bill Hamilton.

I promise you, whatever it is,

I have dealt with worse.

I'm not so sure about that.

Try me.

Listen. Um...

Back then, I did some things.

Some things I'm not proud of.

-Things that I never fully got to... -[phone chimes]

Oh, my...

-You got to be kidding me. -My bad. One second.

I'm gonna put it on Do not Disturb,

and we're gonna get through this. I promise.

Andre.

Baby, what is it?

Captioning sponsored by CBS

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org