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Marissa then nervously invites Alex to dinner with her and her mom, as anyone who could annoy her mother is worth having along, but Alex turns her down:

ALEX: Okay. But, not tomorrow night. I don't do Valentine's first dates; I think it's a jinx.
MARISSA (quietly): Okay.
ALEX: But next week, when we don't have Hallmark breathing down our necks, we will go on a date. Cool?
MARISSA: Cool.

Although Marissa did invite Alex out in the first place, she still seems a little shell-shocked by Alex's use of the word "date"--not seem upset, just still a bit startled.

At dinner, Julie Cooper blathers on about inheritance and how they have to stick together and woo Caleb for a bit longer. Blah blah blah gold digger. Marissa finally tries out Alex's trick ("interesting idea, mom, I'll give that some thought"), and it seems to work.

Afterwards, Marissa goes back to the club, where Alex is sorting out through some paperwork.

ALEX: Hey! I didn't know you were coming by.
MARISSA: Neither did I. I guess I'm just, sorta, here.
ALEX: Are you okay?
MARISSA: Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I think I'm okay. I just had a terrible dinner with my mom.
ALEX: My technique work?
MARISSA: Guess so. (pauses, comes sits down next to Alex) But also it was knowing I could come here and see you. Not that I want to put any pressure on you or anything, it's just that's how I feel. And I had to say it.

While Marissa is saying this adorable, impassioned speech, Alex looks pleasantly surprised and dumbstruck, as though she is falling in love. Alex suddenly changes her mind about the no dates on Valentine's Day rule:

ALEX: Are you in the mood for the beach?
MARISSA: Now?
ALEX: Yeah. It's almost time.
MARISSA: Time for what?
ALEX: For the tide to change. It's a little ritual I have for whenever something really major is about to change in my life.
Marissa (coyly): I thought you said no dating on Valentine's day?
ALEX: Screw it. (Gets up) C'mon. I'm a huge fan of spontaneous first dates.
MARISSA: (taking Alex's hand) I am too.

As the tide rolls in, Marissa and Alex are sitting on the beach, both looking a little excited and nervous. Alex turns to Marissa, telling her the tide has just turned, and leans in expectantly for them to kiss. It's not incredibly romantic, but it's honest, and sweet; Marissa puts her hand tentatively on Alex's back, the final shot showing Alex leaning in further. Although the kiss lasted a grand total of about four seconds, and the moment was spoiled slightly by the feeling that Josh Schwartz was going to pop up into the shot any second, with the word 'SWEEPS' tattooed across his forehead, it wasn't bad.

Next week on The OC: The Alex/Marissa storyline is...well, nonexistent in the preview. Seth has caffeine-fueled hair again. Caleb wants to adopt Lindsay, but only if she takes a DNA test, which her mother does not want her to take. Kirsten confronts Rebecca, and the FBI confront Kirsten.

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