Shane helps out with the Hockey Kings camp in August, joining NHL stars Garrett Graham, Jake Connelly, John Logan, and Dean Di Laurentis. He’s awestruck by their presence and enjoys the experience. Throughout the day, Shane checks his phone, noticing his dad hasn’t responded to his texts—a rare occurrence—but he brushes it off. After the camp, he joins the men for drinks.

Near midnight, a drunk Shane bursts into Diana’s apartment while she’s watching Fling or Forever. He joins her and they debate the couples on the show. After the episode, Shane tries to seduce Diana, but she refuses, though she’s tempted. Frustrated, but accepting her rejection, Shane leaves her apartment.

Shane and Diana rehearse in the Meadow Hill gym, focusing on the tango, which Shane excels at more than the cha cha. Diana’s constant encouragement boosts his confidence, and he enjoys their dynamic.

After practice, Shane asks if Diana wants to have dinner and watch Fling or Forever that night. She declines, explaining she has dinner plans with Will. Hearing this makes Shane tense. Even though their relationship is fake, he claims it doesn’t look good. Diana brushes off his concerns as ridiculous. Back in his apartment, Shane reflects on why he’s so bothered and realizes he might be developing romantic feelings for Diana.

Diana goes out to dinner with Will and asks about his situation with Beckett. Will admits he hasn’t been with anyone since Beckett left, and it’s still weighing on him. Diana encourages him to talk to Beckett about it since they’re best friends.

During dinner, Diana gets a text from Shane. Excusing herself to the bathroom, she opens it and finds a link to a literal friends-with-benefits application he created. The document lists his turn-ons, including “calling the shots” and “being watched.” Diana receives another text from Shane asking if he got the job.

When Diana returns to the apartment complex, she goes to Shane’s apartment to discuss his application. She agrees to a friends-with-benefits arrangement under the conditions of mutual respect and exclusivity. When Shane asks what part of his application appealed to her most, Diana admits it was his mention of “calling the shots.” While she typically likes being in control, she enjoys being ordered around in the bedroom.

That same night, Diana and Shane begin their friends-with-benefits arrangement by sleeping together for the first time.

Diana quickly determines that Shane is the best sexual partner she’s ever had, and their arrangement becomes a nightly occurrence. On Sunday morning, they attend the HOA meeting together. During the meeting, Shane convinces Niall to add him back to the neighbors’ group chat.

Afterward, Diana texts the group claiming Shane dropped his phone in the pool and lost all his messages and contacts, then removes him from the chat again.

Shane’s dad drops off Shane’s younger sister, Maryanne, to stay with him for the weekend while their parents celebrate their wedding anniversary. After their father leaves, Maryanne chatters away and accidentally mentions that their parents have been arguing about something. When Shane asks for details, she admits she doesn’t know what it’s about.

Later, Shane receives a text from Diana about Fling or Forever. When he tells Maryanne that he and his neighbor/girlfriend watch the show together, Maryanne takes his phone and texts Diana herself, inviting her over. Diana comes by, and the three work together to build a replica volcano, which Maryanne enthusiastically erupts with a homemade lava mixture.

At the end of the evening, Maryanne talks to their mom on the phone. Shortly after, Shane receives a text from his mom, asking about his new girlfriend and inviting her to their anniversary party the following weekend.

Shane brings Diana to his parents’ house for their anniversary weekend. On the drive, Diana asks if his parents liked his ex-girlfriend, but Shane says he doesn’t know, leaving her curious. Shane admires Diana’s apparent lack of nerves, but she silently reflects on the anxiety and nightmares she’s been experiencing since Percy hit her.

Before arriving, Shane asks Diana to tone down their usual bickering in front of his parents, explaining they don’t fight like that. Diana bristles at the request, disliking the idea of changing herself, though she reminds herself it isn’t a real relationship. At the house, Diana immediately hits it off with Shane’s parents, April and Ryan. Their only rule is that the couple cannot share a room, so Diana is given a guest room, though she and Shane secretly agree he’ll sneak in later.

The next day at the anniversary party, Diana admires how close Shane’s family is and tells him how lucky he is to have them. While dancing with Diana, Ryan tells her how much more relaxed Shane seems with her compared to his ex. Before he can elaborate, Shane interrupts and they share a dance.

A week later, Diana receives confirmation that she and Shane have been approved to compete in the NUABC. That evening, when Shane comes over, they explore their mutual kink by having sex on the balcony. Their moment is briefly interrupted when a couple walks by on their way to the tennis courts, but the couple doesn’t realize what they’re doing and passes by none the wiser.