The Worst Best Man

As Aiden and Frankie have dinner the next night, Aiden realizes that this is the first time his date has had a relaxed posture and knows the name of the waitstaff. Frankie asserts that she and Aiden have nothing in common besides great sex, but he disagrees. Soon, they discover that they are both interested in business and share family connections. Frankie’s older brother, Marco, who has a pregnant wife named Rachel, now runs the family deli, and Gio helps him. Frankie is working on her MBA and wants to do something with small business development.

Undeterred, Frankie asserts that Aiden’s money puts him in a different world. She claims that she would rather relax on her couch than go to galas, but he insists that she would never have to do anything she doesn’t want to; his only requirements are monogamy and a lack of drama. They agree to these terms and enjoy their dinner. As they leave, he notices that her old winter coat is missing a button. Frankie asks what happened with Elliot and is unhappy to learn that Aiden’s father merely froze Elliot’s bank account for a month as punishment. Aiden agrees that this measure was insufficient, but it wasn’t his decision. They kiss and go back to Frankie’s apartment.

Frankie desires Aiden so intensely that she can hardly endure the three-block walk. She surprises him by agreeing to whatever he wants in bed. They climax together and joke about dying and being found like that. He verifies that her mother has invited him to a family lunch on Sunday.

Frankie tries not to be embarrassed by her terrible mattress when Aiden spends the night. Later, she goes to work at a small business development center. When Brenda, her boss, asks about Frankie’s dinner date, Frankie blushes, causing Brenda to press for more information. Frankie tells her Aiden’s name, and Brenda is impressed. Frankie reflects that Brenda won’t be able to afford to keep her as an employee and wonders about her future. A box from Aiden arrives for Frankie. It is a beautiful new Burberry cashmere coat with gloves. Frankie texts Aiden, asking how he found a coat by 9:00 a.m. When he asks if she likes it, she realizes that she was rude not to say thank you immediately. She assures him that she loves it.

Frankie’s mother, May, calls to confirm that Frankie is bringing Aiden on Sunday. She also pressures Frankie about having babies. Later, Aiden texts Frankie to wish her good luck on her exam, and she is surprised that he remembered. They text and talk on the phone over the next two days, and Frankie is always giddy to hear his voice. She warns him that meeting the Baranski family will be a very different experience than the gatherings he is used to.

Frankie is nervous as she waits at her family home for Aiden to arrive. When he pulls up, Frankie goes out to meet him. He tells her to relax and then kisses her, knowing that the entire family is in the entryway waiting. As the gathering begins, Aiden gives May flowers and wine and gives Frankie’s father, Hugo, a compliment on the sandwiches from the deli.

At the table, May talks about Frankie’s ovaries drying up, and Hugo asks what Aiden does for a living. Frankie reveals Aiden’s occupation and social status, after which she and May have a loud argument in the kitchen. May believes that Aiden is from in a different world and that any relationship that Frankie has with him would not be an equal partnership. Eavesdropping, Aiden is flattered when Frankie defends him. Frankie’s brothers try to talk about the Knicks, but the women in the kitchen are yelling too loudly for the conversation to continue. The brothers and Aiden arrange to go to the game together on Tuesday. Frankie and May return to the table like nothing happened. The siblings start making vulgar gestures behind their mother’s back, and when she catches them, she smacks them on the head. When Marco jokes about Aiden being Frankie’s last chance at having babies, Aiden raises his middle finger and gets caught by May, who has no qualms about cuffing him on the head as well.

Later that evening, Aiden has a lot to drink with Frankie’s brothers and father. He asks if he passed the examination, and Frankie tells him that her mother’s act of smacking him was a seal of approval. He snuggles with her and asks her to go to a museum reception with him. He says that he likes her family and then falls asleep. Later, he is disappointed when she refuses to come to the reception, but she promises to make it up to him and reaches down to squeeze his erection.

At Madison Square Garden, Aiden realizes that he has rarely spent time with anyone with no sense of obligation or hidden agendas involved. Aiden surprises Frankie’s brothers with front row seats to the Knicks game. The game is exciting, and they enjoy their seats and camaraderie. Marco and Gio give Aiden advice about how best to court Frankie. They tell him that she is looking for a partnership and advise him not to be a pushover. Frankie calls, and Aiden invites her to his place, but she declines.

Aiden has had a hard day at work because of Elliot’s continuing bad behavior, and he is also unhappy that Frankie is holding back with him everywhere except in bed. He finds his apartment lacking after Frankie’s cozy apartment. His father makes a surprise visit and tells Aiden that he is retiring and divorcing Elliot’s mother, after which he will sail down the coast with his new girlfriend. He tells Aiden that he will turn the company over to him; he also wants Aiden to prepare Elliot for a similar level of responsibility. He says that Aiden needs to put his family first and hints that Frankie is not a good choice for a romantic partner.

Aiden is overwhelmed by his father’s momentous news and resents the fact that his father has delivered a variety of surprises with no thought for Aiden’s well-being. Aiden texts Frankie and is happy when she reports getting a mattress delivery at 10:30 at night. She calls to thank him, but she can tell that something is wrong. He tells Frankie about his father’s news, and she becomes angry at his father’s selfish behavior. He reassures her that he has no intentions of dumping her for a society wife.

Frankie tries not to think about Aiden’s string of short-term relationships. Pru calls and makes her come to lunch at a fancy restaurant. Pru asks why there aren’t any photos of Frankie and Aiden together and then suggests that they all go to dinner at The Oak Leaf. Pru is appalled that Frankie has not yet stayed at Aiden’s place, attended social events with him, or met his family despite his repeated requests. Pru observes that Frankie is trying to sabotage the growing relationship with Aiden and accuses Frankie of hurting Aiden to protect herself. Frankie is horrified to realize that her friend is right and asks for advice on how to fix this issue. Pru tells her to start with dinner. Frankie resolves to invite him in person but realizes that she doesn’t even know where Aiden works.

Aiden is overjoyed to see Frankie in his office. He readily agrees to dinner despite having previous plans and is happy when she asks to stay at his place. She says that she is going shopping for a dress, and when he offers to pay, she declines. He counters by saying that it’s the one thing he can offer her. She is appalled that he believes that sex and money are the only things she finds valuable about him. Feeling guilty, she confesses that she hasn’t been a good girlfriend and announces that she will stop taking and start giving. She then performs oral sex on him under the desk, which leaves him speechless. She tells him that he has been generous and is a good man. She also apologizes for not being appreciative. He tells her that he wants to extend the temporary agreement of their relationship.