Nicole walked through the square with Holly. "Since you are back in school, I am returning this to you," Nicole said as she handed Holly back her cell phone. "Why? So you can keep tabs on me?" Holly asked with suspicion. Nicole explained that she wanted to give Holly her phone back so that she could rebuild trust between them. Holly promised to make an effort.

"Don't just try. Do," Nicole said. Holly's best friend, Sophia, interrupted to recommend that they grab some coffee before school. Holly hugged Nicole goodbye, and she walked off with Sophia. "Come home after school!" Nicole yelled.

In the pub, Brady commented to Tate on the lack of wait staff. "I'll be right back," Tate said. When Tate returned, he had on a Brady Pub apron. "What are you doing?" Brady asked. "Cook called in sick," Tate said. Tate explained that Roman was handling everything on his own, and he had offered to handle the front of the house for his uncle.

"Are you sure? You might be late for school," Brady said. Tate said he was sure, and he noted that Brady would be late to pick up Rachel if he did not leave. Tate handed Brady a bag with a scone in it for his half-sister. "All right. Good luck," Brady said. "I got this," Tate said.

After Brady left, Holly walked in with Sophia. Holly and Sophia sat at a table and cracked open their physics books to review before school. Tate handed menus to the girls. "Nice apron," Sophia said. "I'm just helping out my Uncle Roman this morning. He's a little short staffed," Tate explained. Sophia smiled at Holly, and she noted that Tate was very nice.

Tate insisted that Holly take a look at the specials on the menu. Holly took the menu and opened it. Inside was a post-it note with a phone number. After Sophia placed her order, Tate asked Holly, "See anything you like?" "I'll just stick with coffee," Holly said.

While Holly and Sophia studied, Sophia kept stealing glances at Tate. "I wish he was on the menu," Sophia said. Holly changed the subject back to their schoolwork, and Sophia asked Holly how she could ignore Tate. Holly explained that her mother would kill her if she did not ace every class.

While Sophia went to the bathroom, Tate set up place settings at a nearby table so that he could talk to Holly unnoticed. "Did you tell her about us?" Tate whispered. "No. And it's literally killing me not to. We tell each other everything. But she also tells her mom everything, too," Holly said. Tate told Holly that he had bought a burner phone so that they could communicate in secret. "How romantic," Holly said as she and Tate smiled at one another.

Tate retreated when Sophia returned from the bathroom. "[I just saw] a poster for prom. Do you think Tate will go?" Sophia asked. Holly shrugged. Sophia asked Holly if she was over Tate. "To be honest, I was like, never really into him in the first place," Holly lied. Sophia asked Holly if she was going to prom, but Holly said she was unsure. Holly cut Sophia off and noted that they needed to head for school. After Holly walked out, Tate noticed Holly had left behind a notebook, and he chased after her.

In the park, Sophia continued to talk about prom. "I'll talk to my mom, see what she says. But I can't make any promises," Holly said. "Holly!" Tate yelled as he ran over. Tate and Holly's fingers brushed as he handed her the notebook. "All out of breath. You really sprinted after us, huh?" Sophia asked. Tate said he had wanted to make sure Holly had her notebook for class. Tate and Holly smiled sheepishly at one another.

Eric returned home from an early morning walk with Jude, and Sloan was working in their apartment. Eric told Sloan what he had overheard Leo say at the paper about him. "He was obviously talking to you," Eric said. "Why would he be talking to me?" Sloan asked. Eric pointed out that no one else had known that Eric had planned to go to the paper about a job.

"Why don't you tell me what's going on between you and Leo?" Eric asked. Sloan explained that she had "gone above and beyond" as Leo's attorney, and she had used that relationship to ask Leo to put in a good word for Eric at the paper. "I was trying to help you, Eric. You're my husband. You know, I want your photography business to take off. I want you to find joy in it the way I find joy in my work," Sloan said. Sloan cupped Eric's face, and she told him that she wanted them to be a power couple envied by everyone.

"You know that's not who I am. And I don't think that this is what this is about at all," Eric said. Eric asked Sloan again about their budget. "The numbers, they're not adding up," Eric argued. "We already went through this. I told you, we're fine," Sloan said. Eric accused Sloan of having manipulated the budget numbers.

"What do you mean?" Sloan asked. "There is a lot of money here that is not accounted for. I think I'm starting to realize here what is really going on," Eric said. Eric explained that he had counseled enough couples to know that large amounts of missing money usually stemmed from addictions. "Do you even hear yourself right now?" Sloan yelled. Eric pleaded with Sloan to tell him what was wrong.

"The truth is that you pretend like you want to work, but actually, you just want to stay at home all day with the baby," Sloan sneered. "What are you talking about?" Eric said. Sloan argued that Eric was projecting his financial insecurities onto her. When Sloan rattled off all the bills that she paid with her salary, Eric warned her not to act like a martyr. "I'm going to be the adult here and go for a walk before I say something that is half as hurtful as what you just said," Sloan said. Sloan stormed out of the apartment with Jude in his stroller.

While Sloan was gone, Eric retrieved the mail for the apartment, and he found a past due notice in the pile. Eric opened the envelope, and he reviewed the credit charges, including a daily recurring charge at the Salem Inn. "What the hell is going on?" Eric said.

In the town square, Sloan sat on a bench as Jude fussed. "You don't like it when Mommy and Daddy fight. But sometimes, grown-ups have disagreements. And this time, it's because someone doesn't know what's in his best interest," Sloan said. When Sloan started to walk again, she ran into E.J. Curious, Sloan asked E.J. why he had attempted to sabotage Stefan's plea deal.

"My family situation is none of your concern. It would serve you best to remember that," E.J. said. After E.J. walked away, Sloan frowned. "Little does he know, Jude," Sloan whispered.

Alex sat on the couch in his apartment and muttered to himself. Theresa exited her bedroom. "The sound of agitation in the morning, like a modern-day birdsong," Theresa said. Alex told Theresa that the press release about the closing of Bella was not what he had authorized. Theresa noted that she had not read the press release, because it was like putting salt in her wound.

"You didn't have any qualms about running straight to Maggie once I told you the magazine was folding," Alex grumbled. Theresa reminded Alex that Maggie was her friend and her sponsor. "And I feel like I let her down. In fact, I let the whole Bella team down. Something with that kind of weight, it can have adverse effects on one's sobriety," Theresa said. Theresa explained that it had been necessary to talk to her sponsor.

"I get it. You're right," Alex admitted. "See? And all you had to do was ask and not accuse," Theresa teased. With a nod, Alex explained that after Theresa had talked to Maggie, Maggie had gone to Titan and asked for a job. "Which I was completely unprepared for, and now I'm stuck with her," Alex complained. "You said yes?" Theresa asked. Alex explained that Maggie had threatened to go to the board, and he had wanted to avoid that confrontation.

"I'm bringing her back, but on my terms," Alex said. "You do have some good business instincts. That's why you're still CEO," Theresa said. Theresa told Alex that Maggie had good instincts, as well, and that it could be a good thing for Alex to have Maggie at the company. "You two could take Titan to the next level," Theresa said.

While Alex continued to work, Theresa dropped her gym bag on the floor and sighed dramatically. "Everything okay?" Alex asked. "It really sucks that I can't fix things at Bella," Theresa said. Alex reminded Theresa that it was not her fault that the magazine had failed. Theresa said she understood but that she was frustrated by the things she could control, like helping the staff find new jobs.

"Look at you, thinking of others during a time of crisis," Alex said. "Well, that's what a leader does, right?" Theresa countered. Alex shrugged. Theresa asked Alex if he could find new positions at the company for the Bella staff, like Alex had offered to do for Theresa. "Maybe, but that offer was meant for you. And that offer still stands," Alex said. Theresa declined, and she noted that she did not think she liked corporate life. When Alex asked Theresa what she wanted to do, Theresa admitted that she still wanted to work in fashion.

"And I'm also a really big foodie. Maybe I could start a vlog," Theresa said. Alex stared at his phone and noted, "It sounds great." After a moment, Theresa wondered aloud about how much Alex would see Maggie, since Maggie was engaged to Konstantin. "What?" Alex yelled. "Please don't say anything. I was told in confidence," Theresa asked. Alex groaned, and he promised not to say anything.

"But what the hell is Maggie thinking?" Alex said. "Maggie is the smartest woman I know, but I think that she's thinking with her heart," Theresa said. Theresa suggested that Maggie wanted to hold on to Victor through Konstantin. With a grimace, Alex said he hated the idea of "this sleazeball getting his hands on" Alex's father's money. "I don't know what the hell Maggie is thinking marrying a con man," Alex complained. Theresa argued that the marriage would probably never happen.

"'Probably' isn't good enough," Alex countered. As Alex stewed, Theresa turned him around and started to massage his shoulders. Alex groaned with relief. "You are so tense," Theresa whispered. Alex slowly turned to face Theresa, and she pushed him away. "See? All better," Theresa said with a grin. Theresa announced that she was going to the gym. With a sigh, Alex said he would take a shower.

In the DiMera living room, Kristen walked in and asked E.J. about his day. E.J. explained that he needed to stop by DiMera Enterprises and then head into the D.A.'s office. "Such a busy bee," Kristen said. "Mock me all you want, but the company doesn't run itself. And once the board votes, I will be the permanent CEO," E.J. said. Kristen reminded E.J. that the vote might not go his way.

"It will. And you'd be wise to prepare for that eventuality," E.J. said. "Oh, I am prepared. Well prepared," Kristen countered. Kristen smiled, and she asked if E.J. had heard about the reopening of the Bistro. E.J. nodded yes. "So, you will be lunching there from now on, supporting our little brother," Kristen said with a chuckle. E.J. shook his head, and he noted, "Wild horses couldn't drag me to that dreary place." Kristen argued that it would be fun to watch Stefan work, and E.J. mocked Stefan's discomfort.

"And yet, you gave him a very sweet deal, D.A. DiMera," Kristen noted. Kristen argued that E.J. could have watched Stefan work for years within the prison system. "An outsider might have a few questions regarding that decision, but as a member of the family, to me, it is crystal clear," Kristen said. With a chuckle, E.J. asked Kristen to explain her theory. Kristen argued that E.J. had given up the chance to take away Stefan's power, and therefore had alternate plans to use their brother.

With a smirk, E.J. noted that he was late for breakfast. Kristen asked E.J. if she had been right. "Trying to find where the bodies are buried?" E.J. asked. "What bodies?" Kristen countered. E.J. smiled and walked out.

When E.J. met up with Nicole in the square, she asked him if he was ready for breakfast, but he said he needed to go to the DiMera offices instead. Nicole asked if E.J. needed to address the Bistro, but E.J. noted that he had no interest in any part of the restaurant.

"Can we at least schedule a lunch?" Nicole asked. With a shake of his head, E.J. said he had too much work to do at the D.A.'s office to take a break. "I'm worried about you running yourself ragged. Not just as D.A. but moonlighting as a CEO of DiMera," Nicole said. E.J. assured Nicole that he was focused and determined. E.J. added that he believed the company would be prosperous, and the townspeople would feel safer with him as the D.A. "I thrive on chaos, you know this," E.J. said. Nicole giggled as E.J. pulled her close and kissed her.

"And I love you, Nicole, for being right by my side," E.J. said. Nicole groaned, and she admitted that she was embarrassed that she did not have a job. "I've always worked and supported myself. That's who I am," Nicole said. E.J. told Nicole that he respected that about her but that he did not think she should go back to work.

"I meant to say where you work might be an issue. Since I'm CEO of DiMera, you can't exactly go back to your post at Basic Black. They're a direct competitor," E.J. said. Nicole argued that she was not sure of where she wanted to work, but she had too much time on her hands. "I need something more fulfilling than meddling in teenage love and planning charity teas," Nicole said. E.J. said he understood, and he asked Nicole if she had any ideas.

At the DiMera mansion, Kristen sat at the desk and composed an email for Mr. Shin. "No, Kristen. Nothing in writing," Kristen whispered as she deleted the email. Brady walked in and asked if Rachel was ready.

"Rachel is gone," Kristen said. "What are you talking about?" Brady asked. Kristen explained that Rachel had wanted to attend an early morning art class, and Kristen had asked a driver to take Rachel to school. "You could have called me, and I could have taken her," Brady grumbled. Kristen apologized, and she explained that she had been sidetracked by an argument with E.J.

"But now that you're here, we could have breakfast," Kristen suggested. "I'm not interested in breakfast. I was interested in taking my little girl to school. But that's not going to happen. So, I'll pick her up, okay?" Brady said. Kristen said no, because Rachel had to stay late with her tutor.

"Our little girl is being tutored, and you didn't tell me about it?" Brady asked. Kristen said she had intended to tell Brady that Rachel had been struggling with math. Annoyed, Brady turned to leave. "When I told Alex about Rachel having a tutor, all he asked me was where I found the tutor and is Rachel cool with it," Kristen said. Brady narrowed his eyes. Kristen explained that Alex was supportive and interested. Brady chuckled ruefully, and he said he did not believe Alex or Rachel cared about one another.

"I can understand how threatened you are to that, but it is true, Brady," Kristen said. "Well, I'll just have to speak to Rachel about what the truth is when I speak to her tonight," Brady said. With a shrug, Kristen noted that Rachel would back her up, but Brady did not buy it. Kristen argued that her life was not all about Brady, and she walked out.

When Nicole returned home, Brady was leaving. "I was just here to pick up Rachel for school, but Kristen, she made sure that didn't happen," Brady said. "I'm sorry," Nicole said. Brady asked about Holly's first day back at school. "Fine. At least that is all she told me," Nicole said. Nicole asked about Tate, and Brady said Tate had said the same thing.

"Brady, you know how much I love Tate. Just as much as I know you've always loved Holly. And I know that we agreed that they can't be friends for a while or maybe ever. But I really hope that we can be friends again. One day," Nicole said. "How about now? You know what, how about always?" Brady said. Nicole told Brady that after everything, it was generous of him to offer her friendship. "Holly is a kid. I know she didn't have malicious intent. She made a mistake," Brady said. Nicole lamented that she had not been more attentive to her daughter.

"Like I said, kids make mistakes. We've made our fair share of mistakes, you know," Brady said. Nicole nodded in agreement. Brady told Nicole that everything would be okay. "I truly hope so," Nicole said.

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