By a Thread

Ally panics when she hears that someone wants a private dance with her. A staff member explains that the customer paid $5,000 for the dance; half the money will go to the club and half will go to Ally. Ally agrees to the arrangement because she needs the money and because the customer isn’t allowed to touch her. If he oversteps his bounds, she can have the bouncer remove him. In the room, she’s horrified to discover Dominic is the customer. She doesn’t want to take his money but gives him the dance anyway. The two end up engaging in sexual foreplay and Ally brings Dominic to climax. She leaves immediately afterward.

Ally races out of the club without Dominic’s money. Dominic chases after her, insisting she take what she earned. She doesn’t want his money because she doesn’t want their sexual relationship to be transactional. He pushes her against a wall and tells her he wants to be with her too. Then he calls a car and takes her to his house.

At Dominic’s, Ally is delighted to see that Dominic adopted one of the dogs from the rescue, Brownie. Then she accepts his offer to shower and change. Afterward, they discuss what happened at the club and their relationship. Ally explains why she needs the money and what happened with her check. The two reiterate their attraction to each other but Dominic still doesn’t want to have sex because of work. Ally argues otherwise but finally gives up. She demands that Dominic leave her alone and stop pushing into her life.

The next day, Ally goes to the nursing home to pay her late fees. Deena won’t accept the payment because half of it is in cash. Amidst Ally’s panic, she gets an email from work instating an immediate promotion and signing bonus. The $5,000 bonus has been wired into her account. Thrilled, she pays Deena and leaves feeling excited for her new personal assistant position.

At work on Monday, Ally is shocked to discover that her new position is as Dominic’s assistant. He tells her that Greta is on a two-month European tour. Ally confronts Dominic about trying to make her quit. Dominic assures her he doesn’t want her to quit and genuinely trusts her work. They agree to forget what happened at the strip club and maintain professionalism.

Dominic does his best to keep things professional with Ally. However, he can’t stop thinking about their night at the club and imagining what she’s doing when they’re not at the office. Then one day, Ally confronts him in his office about his lack of confidence as a creative director. She reminds him not to doubt himself: His issues of Label are selling better than Paul’s.

In the Closet, Linus helps Ally prepare for a Christian James event that evening. She studies herself in a new dress, surprised by how different she’s looked since changing her aesthetic. Afterward, she takes a car to the event with Dalessandra. On the way, they talk about work and Dominic. Dalessandra assures Ally that Dominic doesn’t hate her; he is just unhappy about his new job and Paul’s scandal. Ally encourages Dalessandra to stop covering up the truth about what really happened to help Paul’s victims.

Ally tries to enjoy herself at the event, chatting and drinking with her colleagues. Everyone compliments her dress and asks her about working with Dominic. Ally is shocked when they reveal that Dominic sent Greta away.

Overwhelmed by her friends’ revelation, Ally gets another drink. She runs into Christian at the bar. Inspired by her appearance, he takes her into the back and makes her an impromptu new look. He stages his runway show, leading Ally out at the end.

Dominic feels angry and jealous when he sees Christian parading Ally down the runway. He’s especially annoyed imagining Christian stitching the “pearlescent heart […] onto the dress’s bodice” (293).

After the show, everyone compliments Ally, exclaiming over the instant response on social media. When it’s time to leave, Ally runs into a drunk Dominic. He’s sloppy but cute. Ally helps him into his car and drives him home, stopping at McDonald’s on the way. Throughout the drive, Dominic is lovey and honest.

Dominic feels happy being with Ally on the drive home. When she asks about Greta and her PA job, he admits he sent Greta away so he could hire Ally for a better-paying job. He wanted to give her the money she needed for her dad but she wouldn’t take it. At the house, Ally helps Dominic inside and gets him settled for bed. Still drunk, Dominic admits he wants to sleep with Ally but is afraid of being like his dad. Ally assures him he isn’t Paul, tucks him in, and leaves.

Driving Dominic’s car home, Ally reels from everything she’s learned. Faith calls to check in on her. She’s thrilled about the runway but disappointed that Ally and Dominic didn’t sleep together. They agree to meet up tomorrow. The next day, Faith helps Ally with renovation projects while they catch up.

Dominic is nursing a hangover the next day when his neighbor Sascha asks him to watch her son Jace. Although feeling awful, Dominic agrees. That afternoon, he notices Ally has returned his car and texts her a thank you and an apology.

On Monday, Dominic feels instantly aroused seeing Ally again. When she receives a mysterious gift, he wishes he’d sent it. Ally’s colleagues crowd around as she opens a custom-made dress from Christian. Feeling jealous, Dominic drafts a new policy forbidding employees from fraternizing with designers.