Jackie's conflict over leaving for Mexico with Ray or staying in New Jersey with a visiting Abigail puts a strain on her friendship with Lydia. Frank has difficulty in accepting a generous gift from Plum and Lydia is charmed into getting Mack's irresponsible brother a job at the sports clinic.

Cucina DeLucca silent partner Paulie doesn't stay quiet for very long after distant cousin Lorenzo arrives from Italy to help in the kitchen and ends up making drastic changes to the restaurant's menu and ambiance. A laid-up Jackie thinks she's witnessed a murder.

As Paulie's birthday approaches, he discovers that Jimmy is gay. Lydia finds a new apartment right above the Cucina, and reunites with Mack. Frank and Dolly get an unpleasant surprise when they enter Lydia's new place without knocking and Lydia discovers that Jackie and Mack had a brief affair fourteen years ago.