When Heather stops by with coffee, Daniel answers the door in a robe. Updating that Lily’s out of town, he goes to throw on some clothes.
Arriving at her Newman Media office, Nikki makes it VERY clear to a concerned/curious Audra that she didn’t have a seizure and does NOT want to talk about Claire.
At CL’s, Devon talks to Nate about where he wants him to start. Both want Lily not to feel she has to rush back. Thanking Devon profusely, Nate’s full focus will be on his new job (until Vikki walks in to distract him)
On his way out, Nate greets Vikki by name (and that’s all) She’s left to chat with Devon and assert that Nate didn’t betray her father. After introductions, Cole and Vikki are left to discuss him returning to Jordan’s house (which was like ‘stepping back into a living hell’)
Claire no longer works here, Nikki tells Audra that she and her psycho Aunt lured her and her family to Oregon to kill them. Of course Audra will keep this in confidence. Steering the conversation to business, Nikki asks why Audra was trying to reach her.
Heather’s sympathetic; Lily will want to stay with Mattie as long as she’s needed. Daniel now thinks of all the time he wasn’t there for Lucy. You are now, that’s all that matters, Heather covers Daniel’s hand with her own.
Covering Heather’s hand with his own, Daniel appreciates her support. She and Lucy are glad to have him back. Agreeing to put their painful past behind them, Daniel will take his Dad’s words to heart and make every moment matter. But no, the jerk won’t share his sauce recipe.
Devon drops by Society to visit Abby. She can see that something’s bothering him. Hearing about their encounter with Vikki at CL’s, Abby hopes he’s not having second thoughts about rehiring Nate.
As Audra updates her on Newman Media business, Nikki flashes back to drinking vodka at Jordan’s. Are you alright? Audra’s question snaps her out of it.
On the patio, Cole reports that he brought some items from the house to test against their DNA. Vikki agrees that they’ll help Claire whether she’s their daughter or not.
Pouring Nikki a glass of water, Audra understands that Nikki might need some time to get it ‘out of her system’. What does that mean?! Nikki’s reaction is immediate. Audra’s supportive and sure Nikki will be back to her old self soon. Her lunch invitation declined, Audra obediently closes the door behind her. Nikki wastes no time hitting the flask she pulls from her purse.