Regan does her homework and is so very tempted to go with her dad. But this is her and Allison's plan. She can't just bail. That's not how this works.

Victoria expects both of her daughters to set the table.

They do.

“I hope your little project doesn’t find my prescience distracting, Allison. I’m looking forward to meeting him.”

“He knows who to expect. I didn’t want there to be too many surprises.”

“How very thoughtful. You make an exquisite host, Allison. Do you think your mother needs help in the kitchen?”

“Oh, yes, of course. Sorry, granddad.”

She goes to the kitchen to hover uselessly.

She finishes setting the table. "You seem to be having fun," she says to her granddad.

"When any outcome is a good one, you're playing the right sort of game. What about you, Regan? Do you intend to win tonight?"

"I would never enter a game where I could lose."

"This boy could be a valuable resource for our family. He could also be a liability. He might, as most people unfortunately tend to, serve as both. Will you-"

He swallows whatever he was about to say next at the knock.

"Victoria, dear, I hope you're ready. We have a guest."

"I can handle both," she says at a lower volume and sits next to her granddad. "Allison wants to forge a new path. This is her way. Doesn't mean our way is incompatible."

She sits up straight and waits for Allison to bring in their guest.

Allison brings in their guest. There's a brief, whispered conversation by the door.

Regan can hear it, of course.

"You look great. Thanks for doing this."

"Thanks. I wasn't sure about the tie. It doesn't look stupid? I don't really know a lot about fashion."

"It's not about fashion, it's style. My dad would just nod severely and secretly be impressed, but my mom might actually compliment you. Come on."

And she leads their guest in.

Victoria starts bringing the food over.

"Scott, thank you for joining us. I apologize if it seems a little sudden."

"We're glad you could make it, son."

"Thank you, Mrs. Argent. It's nice to meet both of you."

He follows Allison's lead, and sits near the middle of the table, across from Regan.

Regan introduces Scott to their mom and granddad. "Dad couldn't make it. He got called out for work. But at least this way you're not so outnumbered."

"You don't have any dietary restrictions, do you? I'm sure Allison would have mentioned it if you did, but we'll accommodate you the best that we can."

"No, whatever you made should be fine. It smells good."

"Thank you, Scott. Allison, why don't you go check on the pie?"

"...okay."

She puts her hand on Scott's shoulder briefly as she stands up, and then she's gone.

"Scott, Allison tells me you're a star lacrosse player. Are you going to keep that up when you get to college?"