Xander comes to the townhouse desperate to see Marlena, but Brady explains she’s at the hospital. Also, Kristen is on the loose — is he

there to nab Rachel for her? Off Xander’s great offense, Brady points out he did kidnap her before, not to mention what Xander did to him

and to Philip. Yeah, Xander, Brady knows. “Sarah told me everything.”

 

 

Brady taunts Xander, wondering how he might get his revenge on Sarah for spilling his secret, but Xander stops himself from taking the bait. He’s been working hard on being a better man. “I will win her back.” Brady muses that Sarah might not give a damn about his determination to change. Xander scowls, assuming Brady wants more than friendship with Sarah. Brady denies it but suggests Xander do her a favor and let her go.

After catching up about Sami, Kristen, and various other current topics with their respective family members, Rafe, EJ, and Lucas find themselves at the Pub at the same time. “If it isn’t the inaugural meeting of the Sami Brady’s Ex-Husbands Club,” Lucas quips. As EJ broods at the bar in earshot of Rafe and Lucas, Rafe declares that Sami’s fiancé, Dante Vitali, passed his background check. EJ scoffs, but Rafe insists he’s clean.

 

 

Lucas wonders if Sami’s engagement is just a ruse to get under their skin. Dismissing the notion, Rafe calls Sami older and wiser now. They just have to accept the fact that she’s in love with some Italian dude and they’re not the center of her universe anymore. Rafe and Lucas toast to the one that got away before they go their separate ways. At the bar, a wistful EJ privately raises his glass. “To Samantha.”

Gabi joins Chad as he does a crossword puzzle in the Square. He fills her in on his drama with Jennifer over his feelings for Cat. Gabi suggests he get on Salem Singles, a new dating app, to find someone to help him get over her. Chad isn’t sure he’s ready to date, but after Gabi leaves, he reluctantly pulls up the app on his phone.

Jada meets Theo at the bookstore after matching on the dating app. They’re both surprised the other didn’t swipe left, considering their contentious interactions about JJ. They agree not to talk about work, but when she brings up Kristen, he accuses her of making the date to interrogate him.

Things lighten up when they exchange favorite pastimes, leading to a game of chess, which his grandfather taught him. (Theo just so happens to carry a board around for occasions such as this.) He guides her hand as he explains how to move a knight, which leads to a lingering look between the two. They discuss family and bond over losing a parent. For their next date (which they both hope happens), they agree to play poker, the game Jada’s dad taught her. Before they part, Theo holds out his hand to shake, but she charms him by kissing him on the cheek instead.

At home, Stephanie’s work calls distract her from having a flirty night with her boyfriend. She eventually turns her attention to Alex, who reveals a rival publishing house is trying to poach him away from Titan. However, he told them he was loyal to the family business.

In the hallway, carryout food bags sit outside their door. A figure in a black leather jacket and gloves squeezes a liquid into a fountain drink from Alex’s bag. (They ordered from separate places.) When they gather their food, Alex immediately sips his soda. However, it tastes weird. Maybe it’s diet? (Alex consumes sugary drinks?!) He’ll stick to water. As they sit to eat, Alex says her new book sales aren’t where they need to be. They need a PR push, which means more signings and traveling. They plan for him to join her as often as he can, and they get back to the flirty portion of the evening.