All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Soaps.com may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Romance is in full swing in Salem, with Tate and Holly doing more making out than movie watching, and Gabi receiving a message from JJ asking if she’d be into the idea of a candlelit dinner. Of course, before he can woo his lady, JJ has to first deal with Julie, who wants him to run right out and arrest Melinda for having the stolen necklace. And Chad bursts into Cat’s place upon hearing her scream, only to belatedly realize she — like many a fan — is shouting at the television while watching a sportsball game.
At Chez Hernandez, Gabi arrives to find a beautifully set table but no JJ. She and Javi make up for their spat over Leo, who at that moment is with Doug and a necklace-wearing Melinda. And JJ is telling a ticked-off Julie that they need proof that the necklace she saw around Melinda’s neck is the same one that was stolen out of the time capsule.
Melinda Plays Hardball
Leo urges Melinda to turn the necklace over, but she refuses. The two then exchange threats, as is their wont. Leo leaves to take Javi dinner, while Melinda is summoned to the police station where Julie insists she has proof it’s Alice’s necklace (when in reality, she’s kinda sorta bluffing). Shooting down their arguments, Melinda exits — with a jaunty wave, no less.
Gabi Shows Her Soft Side
Despite Javi being so happy he’s practically glowing, Gabi can’t help but worry. But her cousin makes a pretty good case, arguing that many of the things people say about Leo could also be said of Gabi. But Javi knows that she cries at holiday movies and wants to adopt “every sad-eyed puppy” that crosses her path. Saying she’ll never be a member of the Leo Stark Fan Club, she agrees to give him a chance, especially after hearing that the guy declared his love to her cousin.
Unfortunately, when Leo comes home, things go south about as quickly as they possibly can. Turns out, Leo — not JJ — set up the romantic setting in the Hernandez kitchen/dining room. He and Gabi exchange words — none of which are particularly friendly — and Leo ultimately promises to never do anything “which will cause either of you to give me that look that you’re both giving me right now ever again!”
The situation is saved by the bell — or at least Gabi’s ringing phone — when JJ calls and asks that she meet him at the Bistro for dinner. Once she exits, Leo apologizes to Javi, admitting that “when I feel nervous or insecure, I really lean into being witty and funny. Half the time it works, although in this case, I don’t think it did.” Javi agrees… it definitely didn’t. Then, dreaming as only someone in love can, Javi speculates that some day, his two favorite people will learn to get along.
Cat Saves the Day
Chad tells Cat that the hospital fundraiser has hit a major snag in that the entertainment he’d lined up has fallen through. Well, wouldn’t you know she just happens to know someone who’s a booker and will hook them up. (Does that make the person a booker hooker?)
The two of them eventually wind up talking about Clyde, questioning again why he picked her for his grand scheme. Things quickly get awkward between them. But talk of hot dogs, baseball and the bachelor auction get them back on a playful track.
Dattus Interruptus
Holly and Tate’s romantic evening doesn’t go quite as planned. First, she counters his suggestion that they go to his room with a request for… water. Then, their smooching session is interrupted by a text from Doug. When she calls Doug and he asks if he’s interrupting anything, she’s way too quick to say no.
Doug catches Holly up on the latest with the necklace as Tate rolls his eyes so hard it looks painful. Doug suggests they meet in the park to come up with a plan in case the cops want to question them. Instead of saying, “Hey, that sounds like something we could do on the phone,” she agrees to the meeting.
Doug calls Julie and is relieved to learn Melinda didn’t give him up. He’s less thrilled, however, when Julie vows to find the person responsible no matter what. Meanwhile, Tate is obviously ticked to hear just how deeply involved in the necklace mess his girlfriend is, especially with regards to Doug. “This guy stole from his dead grandfather’s wife!” he points out. Tate insists this isn’t just him being jealous, and that he’s actually worried about her. He tries talking sense into Holly, but she’s about as interested in what he’s saying as I am when someone talks about dieting.
In the Final Moments…
Despite their respective problems, JJ and Gabi have a lovely evening, toasting to their future and making more time for one another. At the Hernandez home, Javi and Leo opt to skip dinner in favor of making love. Cat gets flustered when talk turns to her sister having tried to push them together. Then, a hot dog-and-mustard incident nearly leads to them kissing before he exits. And we end with Tate calling Julie to say he has information about who took the necklace…
