After catching Shelly rifling through his wallet, a skeptical J.T. does some background checking of his own; Nick opts to get a tattoo. Rappers DMX and Bizarre have cameos.

In an attempt to mend their rocky relationship, J.T. and Shelly sit down for an honest conversation about the effort and compromises each must make if they're going to stay together, but just when she thinks they're making progress, Shelly is shocked to learn that J.T.'s idea of compromise involves her changing her lifestyle. Meanwhile, Nick tries to pretend that he is happy about Donovan's romantic interest in Rita after learning of their newfound mutual attraction.

Rita hires a firm to produce DivaStyle's new line, but the women get unwanted press when it comes out the company is a sweatshop. Donovan convinces Nick and J.T. to help him sell make-up.

When J.T. fails an exam because of a stupid mistake, his overbearing mother tries to persuade the professor to give J.T. a retest; and Marty considers becoming a professional bowler. Shelly tries to help Rita set up her new apartment.

Nick finally finds a woman he wants to date exclusively, only to have her tell him she's married. Meanwhile, Shelly discovers that Rita thinks her apartment is haunted.

Shelly and Janie cajole Rita to pretend she wants to get back together with Brenda after learning she's the buyer for a department store where they hope to display their clothing line. Donovan enlists Nick's help to win the money he lost in an expensive bet with J.T., by playing poker

Everyone finds out that Donovan was a pop star in England when a rapper asks his permission to sample one of his hits; then Shelly tries to impress the man with her raps. Rita and Janie's attempt to write a romance novel has a hot conclusion

Shelly is surprised when her estranged father Yusef shows up after being absent for years, and she is even more shocked when her mother encourages her to give him a second chance. A curious Janie finds a large amount of money in Rita's purse, and decides to find out where she got it.

Shelly's mother Beverly finally admits to Yusef, Shelly's father, that she is carrying his child, and Shelly questions Yusef's ability to be a father again. Meanwhile, Janie finds out that Rita is having Botox parties after hours at DivsStyle. Nick is caught in a love triangle when Lynn tries to break it off with her husband, Jamal