As EJ Anticipates Ava’s Demise, She Flees Bayview With Harris — Plus, Johnny Confesses His Feelings to Chanel

As EJ Anticipates Ava’s Demise, She Flees Bayview With Harris — Plus, Johnny Confesses His Feelings to Chanel

After giving Kayla his phone so there are no interruptions, Tripp meets Wendy at the Salem Inn. As they anticipate finally being together, free from intrusive texts, calls and drunken gossip columnists, someone knocks at the door.

It’s just room service with food and champagne. After the attendant leaves, Wendy tells Tripp she doesn’t need champagne — all she needs is him. She deeply kisses him.

After bowling, Chanel opens wine for her and Talia at home. With Paulina on a date with Abe, they have the place all to themselves. Talia thanks her for not hating her after what she did. Chanel’s glad she gave her a second chance and kisses her.

An anxious EJ texts his assassin, Joyce, from home to find out if Ava is “out of the picture yet.” Johnny appears, wondering why his father is so angry. EJ lies that he’s frustrated about Gabi sideswiping his prized antique sports car.

Later, EJ asks if Johnny took Nicole’s advice and told Chanel how he feels. Johnny was about to, but Chanel had a date with Talia. So, he decided to back off. “Well, that was stupid,” EJ says, encouraging his son not to give up on her. When Johnny marvels over his father’s 180 on Chanel, EJ says whatever shortcomings she has pale in comparison to Ava’s.

Appalled that EJ would compare the two, Johnny calls Ava just a blip on the radar. “Thank God for that,” EJ retorts. Johnny doesn’t want to hear him trash Ava. She’s mentally ill and needs help, not punishment. EJ says they’ll have to agree to disagree, then urges his son not to pass up the chance for happiness with the woman he loves.

From the hospital, Kayla calls Talia, interrupting her kiss with Chanel. She has news she’d like to deliver in person. Talia worries Kayla just wants to tell her that the board rejected hiring her. Chanel gives her a pep talk before she leaves.

At the hospital, Kayla tells Talia that the board agreed to hire her on a provisional basis. She can start tomorrow. An excited Talia promises she won’t let her down.

As Harris and Joyce grapple at Bayview, Ava shoots the assassin. Joyce passes out, but she still has a pulse. A security guard enters with his gun drawn, ordering Ava to drop her weapon.

Jada finds a contemplative Rafe in his office at the police station. After she teases him about her wanting his job, they make out — taking full advantage of the dating policy change. Rafe tells her if she truly wants to be commissioner, she should take his chair. Jada insists she doesn’t, but she does want to take their kissing back to his house. He’s on board until he gets a call about the shooting at Bayview.

In Ava’s room, Harris urges her to drop the weapon. She knows no one will believe she shot Joyce in self-defense, and she won’t go to prison. If she has to shoot the guard to get out of there, that’s what she’ll do. Harris promises to vouch for her and takes the gun from her. Harris aims the gun at the guard (who’s lowered his weapon) and leaves with Ava.

When Rafe and Jada arrive at Bayview, they learn Ava shot Joyce, who’s still unconscious. After they accompany Joyce to the hospital, Kayla relays she’s being stabilized for surgery. It’s too soon to tell if she’ll make it.

Fearing Joyce had accomplices in Bayview, Harris brings Ava to the motel, where he swipes a key to a room. Harris asks who would want to kill her. Ava knows exactly who put the hit out on her — EJ freaking DiMera.

When Johnny comes to see Chanel, he tells her he can’t keep quiet anymore. “I’m still in love with you.” Taken aback, Chanel doesn’t know what to say. Talia comes to the door and excitedly tells Chanel she got the job. As they hug, Talia sees Johnny, who congratulates her and leaves. Talia asks if Chanel is okay. With a conflicted expression, she says she’s fine, but her eyes wander after Johnny.

At the Salem Inn, Tripp and Wendy undress as they passionately kiss. Holding her, Tripp lowers Wendy to the bed. The champagne cork pops, and bubbles gush out of the bottle.

At the hospital, Rafe tells Jada he learned that Joyce doesn’t work at Bayview. Jada goes through her phone and discovers EJ’s message from a blocked number.

At home, EJ gets a news alert about a shooting at Bayview. He smugly chuckles. “Ciao, Ava,” he says, taking a drink.