The defense mechanism shown by Cate Cassidy is projection. Projection is defined as projecting unwanted feelings onto other people. Cate shows projection by flirting with Nate despite knowing she has a boyfriend waiting for her at home. They meet and she wakes up completely shocked and starts yelling at Nate and says "what happened last night was a total fluke" and runs out of the bedroom and says "I'm not you and that's never success". it's a projection because Cate is attracted to Nate but denies it. And she puts all her feelings on him like Nate has feelings for her because they finally get to talk about the past in a mature way and Cate finds herself confused because she wants to be a happy family, yet she has a boyfriend who is ready to build it up with