Gus has always been the talk of the town, but trust has never come easy for her—especially when it comes to men. Over the years, she’s kept everything bottled up, including her possessions, until her house ran out of space. When there was no room left to bake pies in her own kitchen, Patrick and Kenneth offered theirs.
Seeing Patrick’s old friend Sergio down with heartbreak, Gus recognized a kindred spirit and took him under her wing. Eventually, she let him take over her kitchen. When Gus’s mystery visitor finally arrives, it’s revealed to be her acupuncturist, Ghen, helping her manage health issues she’s kept secret.
Meanwhile, Frank Jr. listens to Mr. Chicken’s advice on how to be the king of his castle, while Amanda listens to self-help content about happiness being a choice.
Sabrina shares her daily plans with Linzey, who asks if she can shadow her. Flattered, Sabrina agrees. Linzey impresses her mom with clever script suggestions while watching her work.
Patrick defends Mae to Kenneth, saying she has a good heart. Kenneth’s reaction is oddly tense. Later, Mae texts Jay, hoping to talk, but he’s not ready and tells her “maybe later.”
Gus’s arm pain worsens, and Sergio suggests they bring in extra help.
Mae notices Kenneth’s uncharacteristically cold attitude toward her, with him implying she’ll be gone soon anyway. Before Mae can dwell on it, Sergio arrives, saying Gus needs her help.
Nancy is happy Amanda forgave Frank Jr., but she’s curious why he had a vasectomy without telling anyone. When Frank Jr. offers Amanda a taste of his corn fritter, it instantly reminds her of Sergio.
Sergio admits to Mae that Gus is still angry with her but needed help, so he gets away with more. Mae teases him about kissing her sister, but he shrugs it off, saying Amanda called it off, so it doesn’t matter anymore.
Sabrina is thrilled Linzey wants to spend more time with her. Later, Sabrina mentions that Mae will be hosting Frankie in New York. Amanda is blindsided, assuming Sabrina is trying to provoke her.
Amanda confronts Mae about secretly luring Frankie to New York. Mae fires back, saying Amanda’s just upset because Frankie doesn’t trust her with her dreams. Things escalate, with Amanda accusing Mae of being just like their mom. Mae counters that Amanda is the one who resembles her. Sergio steps in to stop the argument before the cameras catch it.
During Kitchen Clash, Sabrina announces the twist—competitors must swap fridges. Sergio stays calm, but Frank Jr. takes a moment to regroup with some advice from Mr. Chicken before returning with renewed intensity. As the competition heats up, the judges are split until Mimi’s hush puppies take the final vote.
Frank Jr. blames Nancy for the loss. When Sergio defends her, Frank Jr. punches him. Nancy tells Frank Jr. he’s stooping to Frannie’s level, which enrages Gus. This leads Nancy to accuse Gus of seducing her late husband. Gus vehemently denies it, revealing he had threatened to take Frannie’s from her. Nancy is stunned—she had no idea.
Mae later visits Kenneth, bringing gifts as an apology for all the events she missed over the years. She asks him to be honest with her – what’s really wrong with her?
Amanda confronts Frankie about New York and Frankie admits she planned to tell her eventually. Amanda is hurt, wishing Frankie trusted her. Frankie explains she wants to try acting, but Amanda worries she’ll get hurt by putting herself out there. Frankie reassures her mom, saying she just doesn’t want to end up resenting her.
Sergio asks Gus to put the hush puppies on the menu while she treats his bruised eye. She praises him for how well he handled the challenge, but it’s clear Gus is in pain. He urges her to call her acupuncturist.
Amanda seeks out Gus but finds Sergio instead. She apologizes for blowing their kiss out of proportion, assuming he’s used to attention and planning to leave town anyway. Instead, Sergio takes her on a drive.
Nancy reflects on her late husband’s lies and quietly removes her wedding rings.
Sergio takes Amanda to the site of his future home in Merinac. He surprises her by revealing he’s staying in town. He confesses that kissing her wasn’t something casual—he believed it could be the beginning of something real. Sparks fly, and they share a heartfelt kiss.
Back at the Inn, Kenneth tells Mae that she doesn’t let anyone know the real her anymore. Mae realizes he’s right—just as Jay unexpectedly shows up.
Meanwhile, Frank Jr., still listening to Mr. Chicken’s toxic advice, decides to retaliate. He anonymously reports code violations at Gus’s house.