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As they get ready to meet her parents for breakfast, Alex reads glowing reviews about Stephanie’s novel, One Stormy Night. He gushes that it’s putting Titan Publishing back on the map and gives her a phone for the sole purpose of doing business under her pseudonym, Anastasia Sands.

At the Pub, Steve tells Kayla he solved the Titan-DiMera case, but he can’t tell her anything more than that. Worried about Stephanie, Kayla grills him, but Steve assures her their daughter has the whole thing under control. Having just started working there, Sophia approaches to take their order. Kayla says they’re waiting for Stephanie and Alex, but Steve is hungry and orders the special. Kayla takes Sophia aside to see how she’s doing. Sophia declares she’s fine and ready to move on with her life.

Steve’s Interest Is Piqued

Steve eats his pigs in a blanket as Stephanie and Alex peruse the menu. When everyone else gets their food, Kayla raves about Alex’s success in publishing the steamy romance One Stormy Night. Stephanie practically chokes on her food when Steve muses that he might like to read it. Over Stephanie’s glare, Alex says he’ll speak to the author and get them a signed copy.

After the men leave, Stephanie rants to Kayla about how hard her job is, spinning EJ’s budget cuts at the hospital. Plus, with her other clients, and her writing — um, press releases — she’s constantly putting out fires. Kayla suggests she quit the hospital job, but Stephanie is no quitter and won’t abandon Kayla.

Speaking of medical stuff, though, what does Kayla know about ricin poisoning? Off Kayla’s confused reaction, Stephanie says a mystery novelist client needs a creative way to kill a character. Kayla gives her the details and suggests she try to work with Anastasia Sands. If she were Stephanie’s client, then maybe Kayla could meet her! Stephanie awkwardly sips her coffee.

Brady Can’t Let It Go

Tate and Brady bring S’mores the snake to the penthouse, where a despondent Rachel sits clutching a pillow on the couch. All she wants is her mom. Brady tries to comfort her and sends her off to find the perfect spot for S’mores in her bedroom.

After ranting about Kristen, Brady rehashes Tate’s trauma of not being able to meet his child. An agitated Tate insists he and Sophia are moving on with their lives. Further annoying his son, Brady wants the name of the adoption attorney Sophia used. “Why are you asking me this?!” Brady lies that someone at Basic Black is looking into adoption, so Tate forwards him the info.

A Happy Coincidence

At the Kiriakis mansion, Sarah and Holly talk about the teen staying in Salem for college. She made that choice for numerous reasons, a main one being Tate. Sarah notes that it seems Sophia wants him back and warns that having a baby bonds people together. Holly isn’t worried because Tate loves her, and he barely dated Sophia. Plus, the baby doesn’t even live in Salem, so it’s not like they’ll see “her” again.

After a scare with a loose S’mores at the penthouse, Holly and Tate head to the Pub where they discover its newest employee, Sophia. What a coincidence, Tate also starts working later today. Did she apply there because he was going to be working there? A very peppy Sophia spins a tale about the Bistro hiring someone else after she quit for college. Her mom didn’t want her lying around the house feeling sorry for herself anymore, so she applied after seeing the help-wanted sign. Tate doesn’t have dibs on employment, ya know.

When Sarah bumps into Brady and Rachel in the Square, she consoles Rachel over Kristen, which seems to help, and the trio makes future dinner plans. Sarah then sees Alex, who notes Xander really misses her. Sarah misses him too, but after everything that’s happened… Alex tells her to take care of herself and leaves. Sarah stares off pensively.

Brady Seeks Professional Help

Hot off of picking up food for S’mores with Rachel, Brady is suddenly in Steve’s office. (But where’s Rachel?) When Steve asks how his daughter is handling the Kristen situation, Brady sighs that John would have really known how to comfort her. He gazes at John’s Newton’s cradle on Steve’s desk, leading Steve to ask if he’d like to have it. Brady declines. He likes knowing it’s at Black Patch.

As for why he’s there, Brady has a gut feeling Sophia isn’t telling them everything about the baby. A big believer in gut feelings (as was John), Steve is happy to help. “Tell me everything you know.”