Original subtitles

A man was just murdered.

How can you be so calm?

The cover-up and the conspiracy

could get you charged as accessories.

Eva's a snake.

Oh, Tomas.

Are you sure you...

I don't want to stop.

Eva's the last thing on my mind.

KAT: If you want me, you can have me.

All of me.

Stay away from my entire family.

They come looking for me.

Then just say no, Bill!

Stop pushing us away, okay?

'Cause we're not going anywhere.

Looking real cute today.

Lord, give me strength.

So we're doing this?

I have no idea what you're talking about.

For starters, you won't look me in the eye.

And ever since you saw me with Derek, you're treating me

as if I ate the last cupcake

and licked the frosting off yours, too.

Do not flatter yourself.

What you do with Derek-

or any other man, for that matter-

is none of my business.

Look, I get it. Breakups are hard.

Especially when you thought he was the one.

You do not know the first thing about Derek and me.

And for your information, he's the last thing on my mind.

So why are you acting so standoffish every time

-I enter the room, then? -I am not acting anything.

But since you insist on having this conversation,

I do find it interesting how quickly you pounced on him.

-Pounced? -Mm-hmm.

Listen, let's go there, then.

Yes, I think Derek is fine.

I never made a secret of that.

And God knows that man could fill out a firefighter uniform.

And yes, maybe I do like to sample

the vanilla side of the menu every now and then.

But not right now. We're just friends.

But since I see the situation's got you all twisted,

for the sake of peace, I'll fall back.

That's if you want me to.

You remember those mother-daughter dinners

that we had at that little buffet off MLK?

Oh, you mean when you taught your master class

on maximizing that buffet return on investment.

Um, "Start with the expensive stuff first.

"Don't fill up on bread,

and never, ever waste stomach space on lettuce."

Ooh! That's right, baby.

Mama taught you well, didn't I?

Why do I feel like I'm about to get hustled?

Can't a mother reminisce?

A normal mother, maybe,

but you always have an angle.

Well...

now that you mention it...

Uh... [laughs]

So, I wanted to ask you a little favor.

Yeah.

I know meeting for an early dinner was my idea,

but would you mind picking up the check?

I mean, consider it payback for

all those valuable life lessons.

? ?

Talk about afternoon delight.

That was definitely worth the wait.

Damn. You got dressed quicker than my abuelita

when the pastor shows up for dinner. What's the rush?

Um, just checking my notifications blowing up.

A lot of stuff going on with the business.

Ah. So, what you're saying is

you don't have time to rumble in the jungle again.

That was everything I imagined and then some. Better, actually.

It was definitely something.

I wanted your first time to be perfect,

so I tried to make it special.

-Take it slow. -Mm-hmm.

Was it okay? You can be honest.

It was...

...lovely.

The ball's in your court, girlfriend.

You want me to lay off Derek? Just say the word.

Do whatever you want.

O.M.G. Can you stop?

You can't sit here and tell me you don't have feelings

for him like that. No one just turns their emotions off

and on like a light switch.

What exactly do you want from me, Shanice?

Do you want me to tell you that I cry

into my wine glass every night?

That I can't sleep because

Derek's side of the bed is too cold?

That I stalk his IG photos like it's my job?

Well, I'm sorry to disappoint.

Okay, now you're just being extra.

No, you know what's extra?

You acting like you need my blessing.

If you want to date Derek, go ahead, date him.

Plan your perfect wedding. Name your future kids.

You could even pick out your little china patterns.

You can ride off into the sunset

on Derek's big red firetruck, sirens blaring,

have his whole department give you the water cannon salute.

You know what? I'll even get you a gift.

Oh, for someone who's so over it,

you sure did paint that picture with perfect detail.

I am over him. I've moved on.

You know what? To tell you the truth,

there's more important things for me to do

than to worry about who Derek's taking

to the firehouse barbecue these days.

Oh, like what?

Or should I say "like who"?

Okay. Nosy much?

Since when did you get so involved in my personal life?

Since when did you become so secretive about it?

Uh... Never mind.

Asked and answered.

For real, though, what's really going on?

Look, I don't mind paying for dinner,

but I feel like this is about more than just the bill.

Talk to me, Mama.

If you must know, waitressing gigs

have become harder to come by.

And what about that place you were bartending?

I thought you were killing it there.

Oh, honey, I was killing it fierce.

Until they let me go.

Why?

The new management wants a younger crowd,

which means a younger staff,

and I don't fit their aesthetic anymore.

So, apparently,

they want anyone 35 and younger

mixing the drinks.

No way. That's straight up ageism.

We should get a lawyer and sue.

[scoffs] With what money?

I'm living check to check, baby.

I mean, that is, when I get one.

Well, have you considered applying for a bank loan?

Please. My credit is so low,

I need a prayer and a GoFundMe for it.

Mama, why didn't you tell me things were this tight?

We could've figured something out.

No. I mean, maybe I was embarrassed. I'm the mother.

I should be taking care of you, not the other way around.

That is old-school thinking.

Okay? We're supposed to have each other's backs.

Look, don't worry about this, okay?

But, Mama, what are you gonna do?

There has to be something.

You're right, baby. There is something.

Or someone.

Love you.

-Hey, babe. -Hey.

Damn. Was it that bad?

You know how some cases you can tell right away

that it's gonna be an uphill battle?

What happened?

Well, I went to that address you found.

Thank you again for tracking it down for me.

Of course, baby. What good are police connections

if you don't use them?

I met June's sister, Regina.

Let me guess. She wasn't feeling charitable.

That's putting it mildly.

Now, listen, I've dealt with hostile witnesses,

angry clients, grieving families.

But Regina...

That woman's walls are built higher than Fort Knox.

And the second I mentioned June's name,

it's like I threw holy water on a vampire.

She couldn't have slammed the door faster.

I'm sorry about that, baby.

But maybe it's time to take the hint.

Take a beat, step back,

regroup, and revisit it later.

I can't do that.

June needs help, and her sister knows something.

Which is why I slid my business card under her door.

I practically begged her to contact me.

Well, the way things are going,

don't get your hopes up.

Lovely?

That's what you say about your auntie's potato salad

at the cookout.

Being that close to you, it meant everything.

So, it was as good for you as it was for me.

Um, you know, Chelsea's gonna be back any minute,

and those deadlines are not gonna meet themselves.

Facts. I should get cleaned up and showered anyway.

I got to meet up with Caroline to review some cases

since your Uncle Bill's been...

Well, preoccupied lately.

Oh, shoot. My bad.

I can make myself scarce.

No, you're good. Um, Tomas was just leaving.

Well, you two seem to be back on track.

Did my girl handle her business?

Let Tomas know what's what?

Good.

Now, look at what I sketched while getting my oat milk latte.

I was watching clips of Bridgerton

and I got so inspired.

I mean, just look at those pearls.

It's giving Queen Charlotte realness, right?

[gasps]

Wait. Hold all the way up.

Did you...?

-Officially lost my V-card. -What?

Cousin, finally.

Ladies. Afternoon.

Andre Richardson.

Looking expensive as always.

I'm just trying to keep up

with the fashionable ladies of this town.

Oh. Well, I better go make my rounds.

I've already been accused of stealing one man today.

Wouldn't want Ashley to think

I'm making my way through her little black book.

Black book?

Well, what brings the great Andre Richardson

down from Mount Olympus to mingle with us mere mortals?

Okay, can't a man just want to brighten up

his afternoon with a beautiful view?

Uh-huh.

Okay, seriously, though, uh,

an old friend of mine had an appointment with Uncle Ted,

so I thought I'd come by to say hi.

Although, she texted me to cancel

just as I hit the elevator, so...

Oh. Well, that's too bad.

You made this whole trip for nothing.

No, I wouldn't say all of that.

-A friend, hmm? -Mm-hmm.

Well, she must be some gorgeous supermodel

that you shot in Milan or someplace equally exotic.

Why do I feel like there's more to that question?

Just making conversation.

That's what nurses do.

We're chatty.

Are they generally jealous, too?

-You wish. -Maybe I do.

We could shave that dorsal hump,

but we need to maintain the integrity of...

-[knock on door] -[sighs]

Food. About time.

Hello, Teddy. Did you miss me?

If this is a bad time, I can come back.

For you, it's always a bad time.

I deserve that.

I'm sure I'm the last person that you want to see.

Especially right now, and after that ugly incident with Nicole.

And yet, you're here. Again.

Yeah. Believe me,

I hate this just as much as you do.

Yeah? Somehow, I doubt that.

Well, I didn't plan to spend my afternoon like this, either.

But life has a way of humbling you.

Just when you think that you're on top,

well, next thing you know, you are counting quarters

for coffee at the 7-Eleven like a college student.

Oh, but you wouldn't know anything about that.

You never had to worry about keeping the lights on, did you?

What do you want, Dana?

We both know this is not a social visit.

I lost my job. Okay?

I mean, age discrimination, if you can believe it.

Like experience means nothing these days.

And this is my problem how?

Okay, I need a loan.

And I will pay you back, I promise.

I give you my word.

And-and-and Nicole doesn't have to know anything about it.

Nothing at all.

Your word?

The same word you gave me

when you swore you'd stay away from my family?

Or when you swore you'd changed?

You've been breaking your so-called word

since the day I met you.

-Ted, please. -The answer is no.

Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.

When I said "fight for your man," I meant,

like, post a thirst trap on IG

or maybe throw some shade Eva's way,

not go full-on hot girl summer.

It wasn't like that, and you know it.

Oh, please, let me have my moment.

I just can't believe it.

And what happened to little miss

"I'm saving myself for the right moment"?

Well, you said when it was the right time,

I would know, and I did.

Tomas and I just had this vibe and energy.

We just knew.

-Everything clicked into place. -I'd hope so.

Seriously, that's kind of beautiful.

Right.

Uh, like those romance novels

your mom claims that she doesn't read.

So it was perfect? I mean, full fireworks and shooting stars?

You finally got your Disney princess moment?

Actually, no.

I hated every second of it.

Eva looks mighty focused over there.

Probably clinic stuff.

You know she's working for Ted now.

Oh, I know that look.

Seriously?

You can't turn off your detective brain for one dinner?

Not even for your wifey?

Says the woman who's been hunting June's sister.

Determined to get answers, come hell or high water.

Okay, fine, fine, go ahead.

Break it down for me, Detective Hawthorne.

I'm just saying, after what Leslie pulled?

Setting Eva up to be accused for a heinous crime,

and now, they're just thick as thieves?

You know what's funny about toxic family members?

The worse they treat you, the harder it is to break free.

It's like you have this invisible chain

around your heart, pulling you back every time.

Sounds like you're speaking from experience.

Whenever I think I'm done with Dad, like, done-done...

...I remember when I was little

and how big and safe his hands felt around mine.

And how he made me believe I could do anything.

Sometimes, the good memories cut deeper than the bad ones.

Mm.

Makes you wonder.

What if this time will be different?

What if, this time, they'll actually change?

When family's involved, logic goes right out the window.

Like June and her sister, maybe.

Well, guess that mystery will remain unsolved.

Unless you just ask.

I assume that's her.

NAOMI: Regina?

You wanted to talk?

Let's get this over with.

Okay, I'm starting to think that there's something over here

that you are looking at, Nurse Morgan.

Well, I am wondering why a world-famous photographer

has posted up in my little corner of the hospital.

You know, we're not really giving off

-the Vogueaura in here. -Mm-hmm.

Well, as a matter of fact, there is this nurse baddie.

Yeah, I've been dying to take her out to dinner again.

You wouldn't happen to know if she's free tonight, would you?

Huh.

She just might be.

After she finishes her shift.

But, you know, she is having a hard time

understanding why someone who photographs supermodels

would look twice at a girl who's rocking scrubs and sneakers.

Well, you'd be surprised what actually catches my eye.

I'm actually way more interested in something real.

Although, I can't front,

those after-parties are kind of lit.

Well, I wouldn't know.

The most lit my life gets is a happy hour in Georgetown.

I've never even been outside the east coast.

I mean, Georgetown has its charm, but over in Shaw,

there's this soul food spot

that'll make you rethink your whole existence.

Doro Soul Food.

Yeah, those collard greens and cornbread

got me through nursing school.

Okay. Okay, I see you, Ashley.

So, uh, tell me something, then.

If you could go anywhere in the world,

and I do mean anywhere,

where would that beautiful mind take you?

Why? Are you planning on shipping me off

to be your P.A. on your next shoot?

I'll just say that you'll be surprised what might develop.

$50,000. That's what I gave you,

and you have the audacity to come back here asking for more?

Barely covers what I'm owed

after all these years of raising Eva on my own.

Huh. So what happened to that money?

Oh, oh, oh, wait, uh...

Let me guess. Uh, you're wearing it.

Oh, honey.

Keeping up with the Joneses is expensive.

Especially around all these bougie Black folk.

Some of these outfits you've been wearing lately

cost more than some people's rent.

Are you telling me that you have been checking me out?

And after all this time,

I thought you only had eyes for little Nikki.

Actually, I've been taking notice lately

for exactly this moment

when I could tell you and your expensive taste

to go straight to hell.

This isn't you, Teddy.

This is not the man that I knew,

and it's not the man that Eva is getting to know.

-That man is a humanitarian. -Mm.

Someone who believes in helping people when they're down.

I told you to stay away from my family.

And you go and file a report against Nicole

making this whole sordid affair even worse.

I had no choice. That heifer laid hands on me.

Then let me take a closer look at these so-called injuries

that you've been hiding behind that scarf.

I do not have to show you anything.

The police report speaks for itself.

So does this.

I single-handedly raised our daughter,

protected you from child support payments for years,

and this? This is how you repay my kindness?

You robbed me of my own daughter.

Years of firsts that I will never get back.

I would've been there for Eva if I'd have known she'd existed.

You sent me away.

But this, this is a chance to get to know her because of me.

Are you serious?

Very. My God, Ted.

Under all that anger, I know there is a decent man.

Someone who is actually going to provide for his own

when you see that your own is suffering.

-One of my own? -Yes.

Save the performance for someone who actually believes

you have a heart.

I'm not giving you a damn thing. Now get out.

I won't forget this.

You hated sex with Tomas?

Hot bod, bedroom eyes Tomas?

I know how that sounds.

-There must be something wrong with me. -Stop.

The first time is weird for everyone.

There's, like, a million reasons why

it might not have been great.

But first things first. He didn't hurt you, did he?

God, no.

Tomas was perfect.

It was all gentle touches and

"Are you okay?" and trying to make me feel comfortable.

Well, that's a positive. We love a considerate king.

So what is the actual problem?

Well, that's the thing. Everything is technically fine.

My body did what it was supposed to do, but...

I just felt like I was watching it happen to someone else.

Okay, I'm trying to understand.

What specifically felt off?

Well, that's the thing. Nothing felt off.

Nothing felt like much of anything.

My body was going through the motions,

but the whole time, I was thinking,

"Is this what everybody's obsessed about?

'Cause I'm not getting it."

Damn. I can't even imagine.

Yes, thank you.

I'm very well aware of your healthy sex life, Chelsea.

Well, maybe you just need more practice.

Or someone with more experience.

No, Tomas knows what he's doing.

It wasn't his technique that was the problem.

And it's not you, okay?

You're just figuring it out.

What if there's nothing to figure out?

Chelsea, what if I'm broken?

Hey, yo, slow down, mamita. Where's the emergency?

My bad. But I can't right now. My mother...

Everything okay?

With Leslie Thomas? Never.

But I still have to go.

I feel you. But listen, about what happened...

-Rain check, please? -Mm.

Bet.

I appreciate you coming here.

Though I'm curious how you found me.

I called your office.

Your assistant said you'd be working from here today.

I'm glad you came.

Uh, we've been trying to help your sister.

Why?

Because it's the right thing to do.

Although, I'm getting the sense there's more to this story

than just another homeless case.

You do know she's been living on the streets, right?

Doesn't surprise me.

I haven't spoken to my sister in years,

and I certainly don't plan to start now.

She's, uh, quite a character.

Funny, resilient, stubborn as a mule.

I know that's right.

Does June have any other family members we should know about?

Look, if you are trying to pawn her off on me...

Actually, may I show you something?

Baby, you sure about this?

How did you...

Where...

That hit home.

Those children.

Where did you get this?

From June.

Want to tell us who they are?

I'm so sorry. The work never stops around here.

But I am almost free.

Are you still up for that bite?

Oh, you already know.

But first... you never answered my question.

What question?

About where in the world Ashley Morgan would go

if she could go anywhere.

And don't hold back on me. Sky's the limit.

-Easy. -Mm-hmm.

Paris.

When I was a little girl, we didn't have much,

but we did have this old coffee table book about Paris,

and, ugh, I would spend hours looking at the pictures.

The Seine at sunset.

Notre-Dame in the rain.

Couples strolling through Montmartre holding hands.

That must sound pretty silly to someone

who's done photo spreads at the Eiffel Tower.

Well, there's nothing silly about it. Trust me.

Well, at this rate, that dream is gonna end up

in that old coffee table book.

But, um, hey, Georgetown's not too shabby for dinner, right?

Can we put a pin in it?

-Listen. -Uh, yeah, sure.

-Okay. -Here, that's for you. I'll...

Yeah.

Mama?

What's the emergency?

Oh, I'm just fine, baby.

Had a stimulating conversation with your father.

I thought maybe if I could just suffer through

another one of his self-righteous lectures,

he'd actually loosen his purse strings.

But, no. [laughs] Not our Ted.

For real?

You had me rushing over here thinking something was wrong,

all because Dad curved you on some money?

Why are you suddenly so protective of him?

Did you forget that he left us high and dry?

He didn't leave anybody, Mama. He didn't even know I existed.

And you still haven't told me why this was so urgent.

Do you have any idea how much money that man has?

He could actually buy his own island.

But, now, now, now doesn't want to spare a dime

for the woman who raised his child.

But it's all good.

I've had an epiphany.

I'm almost afraid to ask, but what kind?

You are going to ask him for a loan.

Come again?

Sweetie, think about it.

Ted would never say no to his precious, long-lost daughter.

Especially after all the time he missed.

But I don't need money.

Everybody needs money, honey.

Especially Ted's kind of money.

But really, it's-it's not for you anyway.

It's for your broke-ass mama.

You mind telling us about the picture?

I can do you one better.

I kept it. I know I kept it.

Yes, right here.

You have the same picture.

Wait, so you know these kids?

I haven't seen those babies in years.

Ron and Cecile.

Ron would be picking out colleges soon.

But what is their connection to June?

Why does she carry that picture everywhere?

They were June's children.

Until she decided motherhood wasn't for her.

June has children.

Had. Had children.

Beautiful, sweet babies who deserved better

than what she gave them.

Which was nothing.

Less than nothing, actually.

What happened to them?

What happens to any children

when their mother walks away from them.

The system got 'em.

And that was that.

Okay, so let me get this straight.

You want me to finesse Ted for money

just so I can hand it right over to you?

Oh, work with me, sweetie.

You are so much smarter than this.

-You are my daughter. -Stop.

-You always do this. -Do what?

Remind you of your obligations?

It is a daughter's sacred duty to look out for her mama.

The same mama who was just at Orphey Gene's

saying exactly the opposite.

What's next? Telling me you'll sleep under a bridge

if I don't help out?

Oh, no, baby. God, no. Nothing that basic.

No, I would actually

come to your lovely hotel suite

and stay there with you.

Won't that be cozy, hmm?

Come on, sweetie.

Work your magic.

Mama needs to keep these lights on.

Hi. Um, for Nurse Morgan.

That would be Miss Thing right there.

-Hi. -Hey.

-ASHLEY: Thank you. -Of course.

Well, girl, are you gonna open it?

Not with you hovering like that.

Oh. Are you scared I might snatch that, too?

Since, apparently, that's what I do.

Oh.

Oh. "Bonne nuit, ch�rie.

"My place, as soon as you can get there.

Au revoir, Andre."

Well, well, well. Looks like someone traded up

from firefighter to world traveler.

Talk about someone pouncing.

You don't know the first thing about Andre and me.

I know enough.

Just don't get too jealous when your new fancy man

starts hanging out with his fancy supermodel friends.

ASHLEY: See you tomorrow, Shanice.

Can't wait.

What happened to those kids? Where are they now?

June abandoned them.

Said she couldn't handle it anymore.

And no one reached out to you as next of kin?

A neighbor called CPS.

By the time I found out, they were already gone.

And you never offered to take custody?

Hell, it all went down before I could even process

what happened.

Suddenly, they were adopted,

and the system wouldn't tell us to who.

You think I wouldn't have taken those babies in a heartbeat?

I loved them like they were my own.

Still do.

There's something different about you today.

What do you mean?

Not sure. A certain...

...glow, is it?

Must be something in the air.

Damn. I mean, you weren't feeling him at all?

I am.

That's the thing.

When we're making out, it's like pure electricity.

Chemistry is off the charts, but...

-But? -But...

...when we did the actual thing,

I mean, I felt the initial pain or whatever,

but then, after that, nothing.

So, the preview was a hit, but the main feature was a flop.

Girl, it was like watching paint dry.

I was just waiting for it to be over.

Maybe I should visit my gyno.

Something might actually be wrong.

The only thing wrong is expecting your first time

to be some magical fantasy.

For real?

You said Tomas is sweet and respectful, right?

Not like these F-boys in my DMs.

Total gentlemen.

Then give yourself and Tomas some grace.

Sex hits different for everybody.

Maybe tell him what you're feeling,

and if he's about it, like you say,

he'll want to figure it out together.

You don't think I'll scare him away?

If you do, then he's not the one.

But I think your Puerto Rican prince will surprise you.

-Plus, you know what the grands say. -What?

Practice makes perfect.

Okay.

I think me and Tomas can work on that.

[knock at door]

I swear, Dana.

Oh.

Oh, this is a welcome surprise.

Do you have a minute?

Yeah, I was just working on some, uh,

reconstructive procedures.

-Uh, I-I can take a break. -Okay.

Um...

What's wrong? Is, uh...

Kat giving you more drama?

-No. I can handle Kat. -Oh.

This is about Mama.

Of course.

All these decades, and Dana is still finding

new ways to complicate my life.

She told me about coming to see you and about asking for money.

-Mm-hmm. -I don't blame you for curving her.

Even by Leslie logic standards,

thinking you'd help after everything was a stretch.

-I'm glad you understand. -I do.

Which is why I was thinking...

...why don't you loan it to me instead?

I can't believe you're really asking me this.

Listen, I know how it looks.

Do you?

'Cause from where I'm standing, it looks like your mother

is using my daughter to manipulate me again.

She's not using me.

Look, this is my choice.

And I'll pay you back every cent, I promise.

It's not about the money.

It's about the hold this woman has over you.

Okay, maybe you're right,

but she's still my mother.

If I don't look out for her, who will?

Look, I... I know it's your mother,

but Dana is not your cross to bear.

Look, I know Mama plays games.

I know she manipulates.

But this time, she really does need help.

Are you sure about that?

I'm not sure about anything when it comes to my mother.

But I am sure I need to try, for me.

Even if it means enabling her?

Even if it means being her daughter.

So will you do this for me?

Please?

You know I'd do anything for you, Eva.

? ?

Ah, bienvenue � Paris, ma ch�rie.

-Wow. -Yeah.

-Andre, this is... -Yeah, you said

Paris was your dream, right?

And dreams, they're kind of my specialty.

Look and see.

Now, it's not quite the Seine, but, uh, I figured

we could start here until you get ready for the real thing.

This is the most incredible thing anyone's ever done for me.

I can't believe you pulled this all together.

Hey, you deserve incredible things, Ashley Morgan.

Now...

...why don't you sit here and let your personal tour guide

show you what you've been missing?

I did everything.

Hired a PI,

called adoption agencies until they knew my voice.

Even had my church pray on it.

But closed adoptions means closed doors.

It was like those babies just vanished into thin air.

So you never stopped looking for them?

How could I?

Ron used to call me Auntie Gigi.

And Cecile...

she would climb into my lap every Sunday after church.

Fall asleep while I read to her.

So, this isn't just about family obligations.

You really loved those children.

And I always will.

I will never forgive June for throwing them away

like they meant nothing, like they weren't worth fighting for.

Regina?

Oh, my God.

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