As Emmett finishes removing the last of the cactus spines, Julia processes the painful history he has shared, finally understanding his guarded personality. He calls her “Jules” for the first time, and she feels a new sense of connection. To break the emotional tension, Julia formally introduces herself to “Emmett Brandt” and insists on a handshake.

During the handshake, she notices that he’s aroused and playfully calls him out. He deflects with a joke, and she advises him to use his “shameless flirt routine” on camera to win the show (111). As she leaves, Emmett tries to downplay his attraction by claiming that he would get an erection for any woman in that position, but Julia sees through the lie and departs with a laugh.

The next day, Emmett feels guilty for his dismissive final comment to Julia. He runs into his sister Parker, who confirms that the show’s first payment has provided significant financial relief for the farm. She asks how he’s handling the emotional toll of the show, and he reaffirms his belief that he’s not suited for a real relationship due to his fear of loss, stating that his strategy is to act like an “unlovable prick” to keep women at a distance.

During filming, the story producer, Teri, directs Emmett to help the contestants muck out stalls. The interactions feel phony, especially with Evelyn, who’s overly hands-on. Throughout the scene, he notices Julia watching him from afar, smirking and looking at his crotch. Annoyed, he pulls her into the tack room and confronts her. She gleefully explains that she was conducting an “experiment” and, having seen him with five other women, can confirm he is a “big fat boner liar” (126). During subsequent one-on-one interviews, he finds conversations with the contestants awkward and difficult, which makes him realize how much he enjoys Julia’s company.

Julia visits her mother, Loretta, and deflects questions about the bachelor’s identity to honor her promise to Emmett. Her mother warns her that Theo is determined to find out who it is.

Later, at the first elimination ceremony, Emmett must send two women home. To the other contestants’ dismay, he decides not to send Evelyn home, aware that Richard doesn’t want him to. Afterward, Evelyn brags to a producer that she’s going to Emmett’s cottage to wait for him alone. As the crew scrambles to film her, editors pull up security-camera footage of Emmett’s cottage and the driveway leading to it. The realization that there are cameras everywhere makes Julia panic, as she now fears that her own visit to his cottage after the cactus incident was recorded.

In a memo to Richard, Teri summarizes the first elimination. She notes that Emmett eliminated Cynthia and Madeline. Evelyn is proving effective at creating drama, and Teri suggests pitting her against the “good girl,” Cookie. Teri believes that the threat of withholding payment is keeping Emmett motivated. She concludes that it was a successful first week but notes that they need to produce more physical intimacy.

Exhausted after the first week of filming, Julia drives to her favorite local roadside diner. After she parks, Emmett pops up from her back seat, having hidden there to escape the staged confrontation with Evelyn at his cottage. He accompanies her into the diner, where they end up talking all night.

Emmett orders Julia’s regular meal there and is surprised to discover that it’s an omelet with pineapple. He claims that he will “acquire a taste” for it (152). He admits that he dislikes Theo because he’s jealous of Theo’s seemingly happy life and respected family legacy. They lose track of time, and as the sun rises, Emmett suggests that they get breakfast at his favorite spot. Julia agrees.

The next morning, Richard sends Emmett a series of furious texts, threatening to terminate his contract for disappearing the previous night. Undeterred, Emmett takes Julia to his grandparents’ house for their weekly family breakfast. The family is shocked, as he has never brought anyone home before, but they’re welcoming. To share an inside joke with Julia, Emmett puts pineapple on his scrambled eggs, a gesture his sister Parker notices.

Later, Parker summons Emmett to the basement crawlspace, their secret spot for serious conversations. She’s distraught after sleeping through a final exam, which may force her to take another semester of college. Emmett offers to pay for it, but Parker refuses. She then confronts him about Julia, observing that he’s clearly developing feelings. Emmett tries to deny it, calling a relationship with his rival’s sister a bad idea, but Parker sees through his denial.

Julia sets up a date at Prickle Point, the scenic overlook where she fell into the cacti. Richard instructs Emmett to choose one woman to take on the romantic picnic date. Despite Emmett’s reluctance, Richard pressures him to choose Evelyn and to kiss her on camera at sunset.

During the date, Emmett is reserved while Evelyn is flirtatious. As the sun sets, Evelyn kisses him. Emmett doesn’t reciprocate; his eyes remain open and lock with Julia’s. When Evelyn tries to straddle him, he recoils, causing her to fall into a patch of cacti. As Evelyn cries out for help, Emmett looks toward Julia and announces that he’s “not good with blood” (183). Feeling a strange mix of satisfaction and discomfort, Julia walks away.

Feeling guilty about the staged date, Emmett goes on a run to Prickle Point the next morning to clear his head. He finds Julia there, cleaning up garbage left by the crew. They talk as the sun rises, and she tells him about her dream to become a film director. Emmett, in turn, explains his complicated relationship with his father.

Playfully, Julia criticizes Emmett’s on-screen kiss with Evelyn, calling him a “virginal robot.” In response, he challenges her to “direct” him. He steps close, places his hands on her waist, and nearly kisses her. He rubs his thumb across her lip before pulling away, leaving her breathless.

A memo from Teri to Richard reports on the second elimination ceremony and the latest week of filming. Teri notes that Ashley was eliminated and hints that Emmett may be developing an off-camera interest in the location manager, Julia. She details how the crew had to use clever editing to manufacture Emmett’s concern after he refused to help Evelyn from a fall. The memo concludes by highlighting usable drama back at the bunkhouse, specifically noting the mounting tension between Cookie and Evelyn.

Richard asks Julia to find a local country bar for the next group date. When she consults Emmett, the attraction between them is palpable. He dismisses her suggestion as a “yuppie” bar and insists on taking her out that night to show her his preferred spot. Julia dresses provocatively for the outing. He bypasses the popular bar and takes her to a dive called The Sugar Saloon, telling her it’s where he’d take someone he was actually interested in.

At The Sugar Saloon, Julia orders a nonalcoholic drink, explaining that she has avoided drinking since the cruise-ship incident two years ago. Emmett reassures her that she did nothing wrong and reveals that he secretly flew to Florida to testify at her attacker’s sentencing, which resulted in a 10-year prison term. Julia is deeply moved.

Later, they dance. After another man cuts in, a jealous Emmett reclaims Julia as a slow song begins. She takes a sip of his drink, telling him that she feels safe. She confesses that he’s the only one she trusts not to take advantage of her. Emmett is stunned. Before he can respond, he spots several crew members at the bar. The moment is shattered, and they leave abruptly.

Julia avoids Emmett for days, embarrassed by her confession and his lack of response. She’s reprimanded by Richard for pitching The Sugar Saloon for the show, informing her that Emmett has rejected the idea. Feeling betrayed and professionally undermined, Julia confronts Emmett.

He explains that he changed the location because The Sugar Saloon is now their special place and he couldn’t take anyone else there. He kisses her passionately. The kiss erases her anger. Afterward, he looks startled and says he has to get back to set.

A memo from Teri to Richard reports on crew sightings of Emmett dancing with Julia at a local bar. Teri advises against confronting Emmett directly to preserve his trust, suggesting instead that a “strategic leak” ahead of his next scheduled payment might effectively remind him that he’s being watched. The memo concludes with Teri deferring to Richard’s judgment, recommending that he speak with Julia directly to steer her away from the bachelor.

Richard calls Julia and tells her that he’s aware of Emmett’s “attachment” to her. In a panic, Julia lies and says that Emmett’s sister is setting her up on a blind date. Pleased, Richard tells her to keep Emmett focused on the show, particularly on Evelyn. He ends the call with a thinly veiled threat about her letter of recommendation.

Later, Julia joins her family for a visit. Theo reveals that news of Emmett being the bachelor on Romance Ranch has leaked online. He’s thrilled by his rival’s apparent desperation. The family goes to an ice-cream shop, where they run into Emmett and his brother, Evan. The encounter is tense, with Theo making snide remarks. Emmett retorts with a suggestive comment about Julia before leaving. Theo warns Julia to stay away from the “sleaze,” but she defends Emmett, which her mother and sister-in-law, Winter, notice.