After much consideration, Carrie decides that she will begin sleeping with Petrovsky, but rejects Charlotte's suggestion that an actual relationship between the two could develop. The pair spend a wonderful night together, but the next morning, Carrie is shocked to find that Petrovsky's apartment is also a hub for his business, with a living room full of his employees. Petrovsky serves Carrie a wonderful breakfast, but she wonders if she's just the latest in a long line of conquests for the artist.
Steve moves into Miranda's apartment, but the newly-recoupled couple finds that they have to deal with unfortunate run-ins with Dr. Robert Leeds. Robert goes out of his way to make Miranda uncomfortable, leading Miranda to conclude that he's become obsessed with her. Eventually, Steve decides to talk things out with Robert, but winds up interrupting Leeds in an intimate moment with two other women. Instead of dealing a blow to Miranda's ego by telling her that Robert is over her, Steve chooses to just tell her the problem is solved, leaving it at that.
While mentally recovering from her miscarriage, Charlotte decides that she will dedicate some of her time to helping the blind. To help prepare for this new endeavor, Charlotte asks Carrie to take her to Barney's, where she can don a Burberry sleep mask, and experience life without sight. Unfortunately, "guide" Carrie gets pulled away from Charlotte due to a phone call, leaving the sightless brunette on her own in the store. After several harrowing minutes, Charlotte removes the mask and abandons her plans.
Samantha's relationship with Smith is also experiencing some friction, as Ms. Jones begins to tire of her younger lover's perceived inexperiences and flaws. This dissatisfaction comes to a head at a party thrown by Richard Wright, as Sam and her ex- steal away for a tryst in one of Wright's hotel suites. The encounter backfires on Sam, devastating her since she realizes that Smith's feelings for her are genuine, unlike the more carnal considerations from the Richard Wrights in her life. At the end of the evening, Smith and Sam reconnect, re-cementing their relationship.
When Petrovsky returns from a business trip abroad, Carrie visits the artist in his apartment. After another passionate night, Carrie realizes that she's not comfortable only having Petrovsky as a lover. She goes into his studio to tell him that she's breaking it off, but he shocks her by saying that he's interested in being in a real relationship with her. The now-official couple embrace while gazing into one another's eyes, capping off a wonderful evening.