Xtina's friends in Echo Park decide to throw a BBQ party while Gavin & his girlfriend have some time off from their movie filming schedule, before Eleanor's parents arrive for their visit. Xtina introduces Rainier to Eleanor first.

Xtina hates politics herself, and had no idea until now that Rainier was so interested in the subject. And Eleanor, intellectual snob bitch that she is, of course converses easily with him about it. She knows the names of European heads of state, she pays attention to what is going on in the world.

She's talking about U.N. resolutions now: Xtina wishes Justin would finish grilling his stupid kebabs and come shove his tongue down Eleanor's throat & shut her up. If Eleanor starts speaking her flawless French to Rainier, Xtina decides she will kick her.

Justin does come to her rescue, but he's polite enough to meet Rainier before he starts in on Eleanor. Xtina glares at her friend while their boyfriends chat. "Do you have to be such a show off?" Xtina hisses under her breath. "What?" Eleanor asks, all innocence.

Gavin introduces himself to Rainier, and like he did with Coby at the last party they threw here, he grills her new boyfriend, like they require his approval, they have to meet his standard. Well, Gavin was good, she admits to herself. Too good, too easy, too sensitive & too needy. But she wonders for a moment what it would be like if she hadn't slapped him during that last fight, if she hadn't left the house they made love the last time...

Xtina has no desire at all to talk to Gavin's girlfriend, she's still uncomfortable around her. Though Gavin is perfectly comfortable with Rainier. Why does it irritate her that he makes friends so easily with her friends? It's why she's with him after all, unlike Coby, he fits in with them.

Rainier chooses that moment to remind Xtina why she likes him.

NEXT