The Arrangement

The morning after agreeing to the arrangement, Peter creates his dating profile in his home office, struggling to select photos and write his bio because he feels defined primarily by his family, which he cannot mention. He notices that Ainsley already has matches on her dating app and reflects on her beauty and appeal compared to his own perceived plainness. Peter’s anxieties about potentially losing Ainsley led to his agreement to the arrangement despite his reservations. At his workplace office, Peter begins swiping on profiles, liking several women with a mixture of excitement and detachment.

Gina, Peter’s attractive colleague and a partner at his architectural firm, enters his office with a work proposal. Peter quickly hides his phone, but he notices her appearance and realizes that the arrangement has changed the possibilities between them. After Gina leaves following a charged interaction where she catches him staring, Peter returns to the app and discovers her profile. After an internal debate, he impulsively likes Gina’s profile, immediately matching with her and receiving a notification to connect. He wonders if this could be a mistake.

On Tuesday evening, one week after their initial agreement, Ainsley prepares for her first arrangement date night. Peter arrives home and questions the arrangement again, fearing that it’s a mistake with no turning back, but Ainsley insists that it’s their only option. Peter kisses her—a rare affectionate gesture—before Ainsley prepares for her date with Stefan, a widower in his mid-forties, by choosing a red dress and removing her wedding rings. She checks in with each child—Dylan, their 14-year-old son; Riley, their 12-year-old middle child; and Maisy, their 10-year-old daughter—and gives them the cover story of a “work thing” for her absence, feeling guilty about the deception.

Peter, visibly impressed by Ainsley’s appearance, breaks a rule by asking for her date’s details for safety reasons. Ainsley compromises by writing Stefan’s name and the restaurant location in a sealed envelope, signing it, and agreeing that it should only be opened in an emergency. Peter places the envelope on top of the refrigerator as Ainsley departs for her date, feeling conflicted but determined to see their plan through. He hopes that it will transform their marriage but simultaneously fears the consequences.

While Ainsley is on her date, Peter feels tortured by the sealed envelope on the refrigerator. After receiving Ainsley’s text saying that she arrived safely and that her date seems normal, he browses old family photos on Facebook, reflecting on his past happiness with Ainsley and their children. Peter regrets his neglect of their marriage and decides that, upon Ainsley’s return, he will tell her that he wants to end the arrangement. Growing increasingly anxious, Peter calls Ainsley, who ignores his call. He grabs and tears open the sealed envelope. Inside, he finds only a note from Ainsley: “Sorry, honey. Rules are rules” (31).

Ainsley returns home after one o’clock in the morning, appearing happy but not disheveled. Her sly smile leads Peter to assume that she slept with her date, filling him with dread. When Ainsley announces that she’s going to shower, Peter retreats to their bedroom and cries, pretending to be asleep when she enters. He notices that she doesn’t check the refrigerator to see if the envelope remains intact and believes that Ainsley anticipated that he would open it. Peter concludes that Ainsley slept with someone else and feels that it changes everything.

On Wednesday morning, Ainsley and Peter prepare for their day in silence. As she prepares for her job as a bank branch manager, Ainsley applies maroon lipstick, a small act of self-assertion amid the growing tensions and unspoken dynamics of their arrangement. Peter stares at her with unspoken curiosity, which Ainsley finds exciting, before kissing her temple and leaving early for work. Ainsley notes to herself that her date with Stefan was fine, but she didn’t have sex with him because she didn’t want to hurt him by giving him the impression that their relationship is more than casual. She manages the morning routine, including a dispute between Dylan and Riley and questions from Maisy about her “work thing” the previous night.

Ainsley discovers the opened envelope on top of the refrigerator, confirming that Peter broke their rule by tearing it open. She discards it without confrontation, reflecting that Peter’s jealousy might give him motivation to improve their relationship.

On Wednesday afternoon, Peter struggles to focus at work, haunted by questions about Ainsley’s date and feeling awkward about having matched with Gina on the dating app. Gina enters his office to talk about an overdue report, which Peter apologizes for and promptly sends. Gina then shows Peter the Pete Patterson profile that she encountered on the dating app, telling him that she believes someone is using his pictures to catfish people.

Peter confesses the truth, offering a simplified version of the arrangement: The profile is his, and he and Ainsley are separated and seeing other people. Gina appears surprised but understanding, asking if he matched with her on purpose. When Peter admits that he did, Gina tells him to message her when he decides what he wants. Peter requests her discretion, which Gina agrees to, calling it their little secret and winking as she leaves. Peter feels a thrill of possibility after their conversation.

On Wednesday evening, Ainsley ignores two unread messages from Stefan asking to see her again, feeling guilty about misleading him. She feels vague shame about the arrangement and bitterness that Peter wasn’t more jealous about her date. During her drive home, Ainsley contemplates her midlife crisis and the evolution of her family over the years in their home.

Upon arriving home, Ainsley changes her clothes and pours some wine. When Peter comes home, she proposes a new rule: They must tell dates upfront that relationships will be strictly casual/physical to prevent emotional complications. Peter agrees but notes that it will sound harsh coming from a man. When Ainsley asks if he’s chosen his date for tomorrow, Peter confirms that he has. She feels a twinge of jealousy but experiences hope when Peter surprisingly offers to help prepare dinner. They work side-by-side in the kitchen, his hip against hers, and she thinks that her plan to revitalize their marriage might be working.

On Thursday evening, Peter prepares for his first arrangement date. He is extremely nervous and compares his discomfort to childhood piano lessons. Ainsley helps him choose his outfit, acting unbothered, and kisses his cheek before he leaves. Peter experiences a fleeting, violent urge toward Ainsley and notes that she doesn’t ask for his date details. He meets Mallory, a blonde massage therapist in her mid-twenties, at a restaurant. She orders whiskey neat, surprising him. Peter lies about his job and marital status, claiming to be a divorced art gallery office manager.

Mallory makes suggestive comments throughout dinner, inviting Peter to sit beside her and touching his thigh. They leave the restaurant early and decide to go to her place. They kiss passionately in the parking garage elevator, and during the drive to Mallory’s, she places Peter’s hand on her bare breast. At Mallory’s messy townhome, she undresses and seduces Peter, performing oral sex. Peter experiences intense pleasure, momentarily grateful for the arrangement and losing himself in the physical encounter.