Therapy With My Stepmom — Episode 1: Then Tell Me to Stop

Scandal starts small in Therapy With My Stepmom: a fire, a leather chair, and a standing appointment every Thursday at 7 p.m. Cole first booked Riley to unpack Richard, the man who went cold after the divorce. He kept coming back for her. She has heard every secret he owns. All he knows about her is that she smells like rain.

Tonight he rolls a tiny purple heart keychain between his fingers. It is the one warm thing Richard ever handed him, and Riley calls it what it is: he is still waiting. He hints he might be waiting for something else. The hour ends, they both rise, and the line she drew starts to crack. "Not you. Not here." He moves closer and dares her: "Then tell me to stop." She never says the word. She kisses him back, and the whole mini-drama tips over the edge in one breath.