Elizabeth confronts an imposing figure from her past with Nathan’s support. Rosemary helps Lee navigate a new leadership role. Lucas struggles to find bidders for his resort project.
At the bistro, Martha comes across Sam and Cassie and asks if they’ve set a date for their wedding. They tell her they are still unsure, but promise that she’ll be at the top of the list when they do decide. Martha then gracisoulsy offers to lend her singing talents for the wedding. Meanwhile, Cassie and Sam are doing their best to find a way to convince Grace and Nick to get along…again. Sam then suggests they all go to his lake house for a weekend of family bonding.
Stephanie stops by Sam’s office with a coffee. When he reveals that this is his first break all day, Stephanie tells him that he needs a receptionist! She asks if he would like to spend another evening together, and Sam suggests dinner. Stephanie happily agrees.
As Cassie, Sam, Grace and Nick sit down for dinner, Cassie and Sam do their best to keep the mood positive and uplifting. In contrast, Nick and Grace are still at odds over Nick’s plans to study abroad. When Cassie asks Nick about studying in London, Grace chimes in, “If he’s going.” Realizing what she’s said, Grace immediately tries to apologize, but an argument between she and Nick immediately ensues. Confused, Sam asks Nick if he wants to go to London and Nick says he’s still thinking about it before storming out of Cassie’s house. Grace follows suit, storming off to her room, leaving Sam and Cassie to wonder what just happened.
After driving her mother back to Grey House, Ben waits at an empty table while Stephanie closes the bistro for the night. While things between Ben and Stephanie had been going well, Stephanie’s plan to hide Ben from her mother has thrown the future of their relationship into doubt. Stephanie tries to tell Ben that her motive was the expectations her mother has for men she dates but, after spending the day with Betty, Ben knows that Betty isn’t the problem. Hurt and frustrated, Ben asks Stephanie, “If you’re too embarrassed to let people know we’re dating... why are we dating?”
A light snow falls as Cassie and Sam walk out of the bistro. When Sam called to tell her the news that Linda had gone back to New York, Cassie left John's faculty formal to make sure Sam was okay. Sam explained that before leaving, Linda made amends for the way she had treated Nick and he seems to be handling her leaving well. Sam then asks Cassie about her date with John, adding that it's nice of Cassie to fill in for John's girlfriend. Cassie hesitates before telling Sam that John and his girlfriend broke up. She then reveals that John was a bit of a player in college, with lots of girlfriends but none of them serious. It's also why he and Cassie have always been just friends. Sam chuckles and then suggests they need to celebrate. Sam then conjures an inspired idea and suggests that the location of their date be a surprise for Cassie.
