EPISODE 355
Written by: Bre L Drew
August 20, 2025
Last Time on Town and Country
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Before Tanner ended their relationship, Presley tried to convince her they could start over, unaware that she was secretly involved with Tommy, who was married to his sister Jordan.
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Emma has been spiraling emotionally since learning the truth about her paternity, and her growing jealousy over Will’s budding connection with her newly discovered niece, Martha, has placed further strain on her marriage to Jacques.
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Meanwhile, even though Jes and Antoine are now together, Samuel has begun developing feelings for her.
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Since relocating from Texas, Skye has settled into Radcliffe and formed a close bond with young dancer Gemma Grier.
FIRST STREET METHODIST CHURCH
The late summer evening settles over Radcliffe as the sun begins to set, the drop in humidity finally making the air bearable. On the modest basketball court of First Street Methodist Church, Presley McKnight and Antoine Hall play a casual, relaxed—but emotionally charged—game of one-on-one.
Presley drives past Antoine, retaining the ball, and lays it neatly into the basket.
“Dang, man, what happened to a friendly game of one-on-one?” Antoine teases, reminding Presley of the words he used when inviting him out here.”
The two men have only recently reconnected after their high school days.
Presley—dressed in a black pullover hoodie and shorts after a long day at the church—exhales, catching his breath as he holds the ball.
“Sorry, man. It’s just one of those nights.”
Antoine, in a white tank that shows off his muscular arms, gray sweats, and fresh kicks, gives him a look that says it’s more than that.
Deciding to pause the game, they head over to the bench and sit side by side. Both wipe beads of sweat from their foreheads and necks with their towels.
“Remember the last time we talked about Tanner and me?” Presley asks.
“Yeah.”
“Well…” Presley sighs. “Let’s just say I don’t have to worry about where Tanner and I stand anymore.”
THE CLIFFE
The summer night brings a heavy flow of patrons inside The Cliffe, populating just about every space within the establishment—ordering drinks, dancing, or sitting as they decide what to do next. The reggae-pop beats of the “Push 2 Start” remix by Tyla feat. Sean Paul blasts through the sound system.
Meanwhile, upstairs in her office, Emma Covington Laurent sits behind her desk, skimming through documents on her iPad, though her mind drifts elsewhere despite the high-energy atmosphere below. Her latest woes weigh on her—her life turned upside down by the revelation of her true paternity, her marriage hitting a snag because of it, and Will moving on to her newfound niece, only a few years younger than herself.
Emma clears her throat lightly, pushing the thoughts to the back of her mind.“Come on, Emma, get a grip,” she mutters to herself.
She forces her focus back to work when a light tap on the door pulls her attention. She raises her head.
“Hey,” Will Jackson greets, stepping in. “The place is packed.”
“I can see that,” Emma replies, still seated. “So, how’s your night going? Let me guess—your solo tonight on account of my niece having to read a bedtime story?” Her voice carries a sharp edge of sarcasm.
Will doesn’t take the bait, though her words hang in the air. After a pause, he says, “I know I probably shouldn’t be asking this, but I’m gonna anyway. You alright?”
Emma stays silent at first, clearly not in the mood for anything that isn’t serious.
“Don’t be like that,”
Emma scoffs, tossing the iPad onto the desk with a sharp flick.
“I can’t believe we actually got through security!” Skye Park shouts over the noise.
The young woman wears her trademark goth attire—a black lace camisole paired with a mini skirt decorated with silver ring embellishments, fishnet stockings, and boots.
“Shh,” Gemma Grier motions quickly.
The blonde is dressed in a red mini slip dress with heels; clutch bag tucked tightly against her side.
Next to her, her boyfriend Micah Kelley—taller than both girls—cuts through the crowd. The teenage Black athlete wears a black, two-tone short-sleeve shirt that showcases his developing pectorals, paired with dark pants.
“It’s not like anyone can hear us over all this noise anyway, Gem,” he counters.
The three push their way deeper into the packed floor, and Gemma leans in.
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“Even so, let’s not draw attention to ourselves. My cousin worked hard on those fake IDs, and somehow they fooled the guard.”
Her boyfriend and best friend exchange doubtful glances.
“Oh, come on, you two,” Gemma presses. “Before we know it, we’ll be back in the land of hellish assignments and demanding practices. We deserve one night of fun before the dreaded ‘s’ word starts again.”
“I just don’t want to get caught,” Skye admits. “What about you, Micah?”
Micah shrugs. “Well, I’m not exactly looking forward to it either. I like football, but between school and football practice, and my dad constantly running me through plays… It’s a lot. He’s dead set on me moving up from second-string receiver.”
He scans the crowd. “Besides, it’s not like Radcliffe is on the corner of Hollywood and Vine. We’re safe enough. Sure, let’s kick it here.”
Gemma beams, kissing his cheek before turning to her best friend. “See? Oh, come on, Babe. Live a little.”
Skye exhales, finally giving in. “Fine. Count me in, too.”
“Yay!” Gemma cheers.
“I’ll get the drinks,” Micah volunteers, raising a finger.
“I’ll just take a Coke,” Skye says quickly.
“All right—two Cokes,” Micah replies.
“And a mineral water for me,” Gemma adds with a grin.
JESMINDER CHOUDHURY AND ASSOCIATES
Miles away in downtown Radcliffe, the Covington Tower rises where the city’s facade meets the last traces of rural horizon. The workday has long ended, leaving the building hushed, its corridors lit only by the glow of stray offices where overtime lingers. On the eighth floor, Jes Choudhury is immersed in the final touches of her day—her new firm still fresh, still demanding, still hers to mold into success.
The elevator chimes. The polished steel doors slide open, and out steps Samuel Gupta. His eyes sweep the floor, taking in the transformation. “I must say, this place should contend for a before and after.”
Jes is in a plaid-belted vest with matching trousers, giving a partial-smile. “If that’s your way of saying you like what I’ve done with the place, then thank you.”
He catches the faint trace of her perfume before they step apart. He still carries feelings for her; despite knowing she is with Antoine.
Jes’s gaze darts across the walls, humbly gesturing to her surroundings. “Who knew a coat of paint and a potted plant could work wonders?”
Behind them, her assistant Nadine tidies her desk. Jes checks the clock, then turns. “You can take off, Nadine. I’ll finish up here.” With a grateful nod, the assistant hurries out, leaving Jes and Samuel in the quiet office.
Jes tilts her head, studying him. “So, what brings you to my neck of the woods this evening?”
Samuel shrugs, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Hoping you’d show some kindness on an unfortunate soul. Everyone else is already occupied—Max and Shauna with the baby, Tricia with her mom, and Aaliyah is working late upstairs, so I figure I could use a change of scenery and someone to enjoy it with.”
Jes arches a brow. “So, you thought of me?”
​He grins. “Care to take pity? Though I guess I should ask first—are you free?”
Jes reaches for her briefcase, sliding a strand of dark hair behind her ear. “As a matter of fact, I am. Antoine’s off playing basketball with Presley, so I’m all yours tonight.”
That is all Samuel needs. “All right then—The Chateau? The Waterfall?”
“Neither. Let’s go to The Cliffe. Unless you’ve suddenly developed something against clubbing?”
Samuel blinks, surprised. “The Cliffe? Didn’t think that was your scene.”
Jes smirks, her voice dipping just enough to hint at something hidden. “There are some things you don’t know about me.”
With that, she heads toward the elevator, Samuel falling into step beside her. As the doors slide shut, the night stretches out before them
FIRST STREET METHODIST CHURCH
By now, Presley has told Antoine that Tanner came by his place to break up with him. Even though their relationship hadn’t been solid—since he always knew she was still wrestling with feelings for his brother-in-law—he tried to convince her they could start over. But Tanner stayed firm: their time was over.
Antoine guzzles water from the straw of his stainless steel cup. “I’m sorry, man. You gonna be alright?”
“Guess I should’ve seen it coming. It’s not like we were even in constant communication, but… it still hit like a blow.”
“Doesn’t stop it from hurtin’ like hell,” Antoine remarks—before realizing he just swore on church grounds. “Oops. My bad, man.”
“Don’t worry, it’s just us, and,” Presley says, tipping his head toward the sky. “And you got a point about the pain.”
Antoine sets his cup on the ground. “Take it from me, maybe Tanner just wasn’t the right one for you.”
Presley runs a hand through his dark-blonde hair. “In the last few years before I came back home, I was so into my vocation I never made time to see anyone—not seriously, anyway. Tanner was the first girl I saw as serious in a long time. When I left for seminary, she was just my little sister’s friend. When I moved back, she’d grown into this woman, and… I guess I took us more seriously than she did,” he admits.
Antoine pats him on the back. “It’s gonna be alright.”
Presley nods, though he’s not sure he believes it.
“Hey, wanna go another round?” Antoine asks.
Presley stretches his arms. “If you don’t mind, I think we can call it a night. Either I’m getting old or my body’s just sore.”
“Mine too, dog.”
Both laugh as they pack up their things, tossing towels into gym bags before heading toward the parking lot—leaving the game, and heartbreak, behind on the court.
THE CLIFFE
I been a nasty girl, nasty
I been a nasty, nasty, nasty
Is somebody gonna match my freak?
Tinashe’s “Nasty” pulses through the club, drawing people of all rhythms onto the dance floor. Jes and Samuel arrive in high spirits, laughter still lingering between them. Before Samuel can object, Jes grabs his hand and tugs him toward the dance floor.
“You can fight it, but you know I’ll win,” she teases over the thumping bass. “So, let’s not delay the inevitable.”
Samuel gives in with a small, genuine smile. “Only for you.”
In moments, the two lifelong friends find themselves moving in sync, their bodies swaying close in the crowd. Samuel keeps a respectful distance, though the pull of his old feelings remains just beneath the surface. Jes spins lightly, and he nearly mirrors her, losing himself in the rhythm.
Then, their gaze lands on someone unexpected.
Martha Saunders' eyes lift at the exact moment theirs do. For a brief, loaded instant, all three acknowledge one another in silence. Martha lowers her head, watching Jes and Samuel dancing—closer than friends should, perhaps.
Meanwhile, Gemma, Skye, and Micah sit at a table, sipping their non-alcoholic drinks.
"I can't believe I told Joel I was at the movies," Skye says, glancing around the club that clearly isn’t a theater.
"Look, we can always go to the movies, so just chill, Skye," Gemma replies, sipping her mineral water. "Anyway, at least we can say we did something unpredictable—like being here at a nightclub before summer is done.”
"So, being with me isn’t enough?" Micah asks with a grin.
"Of course not," Gemma shoots back, half-joking.
The response makes all three of them laugh, the sound easing some of Skye’s nerves.
"Yeah, come on, Skye, just enjoy the moment," Micah adds. "Any of y’all want another drink? Because I’m going to try my luck and get a beer."
"Bold," Gemma says. "Nah, I’m good though."
"I’m good too," Skye notes.
"I’ll be back," Micah says, pushing away from the table and weaving through the crowd, determined to try his luck at the bar despite being underage.
Emma and Will are still in the office upstairs. Emma remains silent, though she wants to be otherwise, as the music from downstairs hums faintly in the background.
"Something else is goin’ on, isn’t it?" the club manager asks, knowing her all too well.
"As much as I’ve been on the receiving end of your dime-store psychiatric sessions, I think you’re barking up the wrong tree," Emma denies.
Will gives her a look that reveals his sincere intention. "Look, no matter what has happened between us, we’ve always been able to be real with each other, Emma."
"It’s just that life has been a freaking rollercoaster for me in the last several months, which you’ve had a front-row seat for."
"I’m here for ya, whatever you need," Will says sincerely.
As Emma is about to raise her head, showing a flicker of appreciation at hearing that, she still doesn’t let her guard down.
Martha stands in the doorway, in her white smock-waist cotton dress, holding the strap of her purse. Her short brown hair is in its usual style. “Hey, the bartender down there told me you were up here.” She turns to her aunt, who sits at her desk. “Emma.”
“Hi,” Emma replies. “I’m glad you were able to tuck in your son before coming down here.”
Martha chuckles ruefully. “Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but your new best friend—my mother—is doing the honors tonight.”
Since it was revealed that Emma is the product of an affair between Martha’s late grandfather and Deirdre Covington, the heiress has been seeking her niece's advice on adjusting to this new connection.
“Since Martha got the night off, I invited her to hang out,” Will says, trying to mediate the tension.
“Well, you better enjoy tonight before you turn back into a pumpkin—well, a proverbial one,” Emma says bitingly.
Martha resists the urge to throttle her as she turns to her date.
“See ya later,” Will tells Emma as he leads the brunette out of the office.
“Selena” by LeoStayTrill kicks in as Emma gets out of her chair and walks to the window. From there, she looks down at the floor below, where people are drinking at the bar, conversing, and of course, dancing.
Her eyes catch on Will and Martha, moving somewhat to the rhythm of the music. Martha is smiling, and Will is clearly enjoying himself. Emma stays at the window, her thoughts swirling as she takes it all in.
With the crowd somewhat dissipating, Micah finds himself next in line, ready yet nervous to obtain his first beer, having only ever had sips from his father over the years.
“What can I get you?” the male bartender asks.
Micah notices it’s a different one from earlier, though that doesn’t stop him from ordering a beer.
“Can I see your ID?” the bartender presses.
Micah hadn’t expected it—especially since the last bartender didn’t ask for photo identification.
Not wanting to argue, he does as told, remembering that if the ID was enough to fool the guard outside, then it should work here too. He pulls it from his wallet in his pants pocket.
The bartender examines it.
As coincidence would have it, Will returns behind the bar.
The bartender shows him the ID, and Micah, realizing the situation, licks his lips in anticipation.
Moments later, Will and Micah arrive at the booth where Gemma and Skye are talking. When they see Micah with the older adult, both fall temporarily silent.
“What’s going on?” Gemma asks, surveying the situation.
Will gives them his undivided attention. “Cause I’m a generous kind soul, I’m gonna give y’all five seconds to get on outta here.”
Skye wears the look of someone caught red-handed, although Gemma isn’t backing down yet.
“What’s the problem, sir?” she asks confidently.
“Let’s just say I know when I spot a fake ID.” Will’s words cause all three to exchange guilty looks. His own past crimes include making fake IDs and forging checks.
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“The jig is up,” Micah says, mostly directed at his girlfriend.
He leans in slightly. “Y’all either bounce now, or I’ll call y’all folks.”
Without another choice, the three take off quickly through the crowd, which makes Will chuckle as he stands there.
At another table near the bar, Samuel sips his beer while Jes sets her mojito down in front of her. The club’s atmosphere pulses around them.
“I still can’t believe I got your ass on the dance floor,” Jes teases. “When we were kids, people could bribe you with money to do the Bhangra, and you still wouldn’t do it.”
“Those years feel like a lifetime ago,” he admits. “Though now I realize I might’ve missed what was right in front of me all along.” He shoots her a look, his meaning clear.
“Samuel, we can’t cross that line,” she warns.
“Yeah, I know. You’re seeing Antoine.”
“And you’re just getting over Martha. But still, you needed to cut loose and have some fun tonight.”
“I guess I did.”
“Well,” she says softly, “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now.”
Samuel takes a slow drink, watching how the light makes Jes look even more beautiful.
He leans in, embracing her. It’s meant to be nonphysical, but the hug lingers just a little too long. Jes quickly changes the subject as she lets go.
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END OF EPISODE
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ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
Jacques and Emma have a heated encounter.
Jordan becomes suspicious.
Evan faces disappointment.
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