Valentine’s Day in Salem rarely passes without fireworks, and this year on Days of Our Lives, sparks flew in a way that instantly set fans buzzing.

Xander Cook and Gwen Rizczech—two of the show’s most volatile and magnetic figures—found themselves tangled in a flirtation that quickly escalated from playful banter

to something far more intimate. On the surface, it looked like a reunion. A familiar rhythm. A rekindled flame.

But according to Paul Telfer, the man behind Xander, what viewers witnessed was not the rebirth of a great romance—it was a moment of weakness in the middle of a much larger personal reckoning.

A Valentine’s Day That Raised Eyebrows

The episode unfolded with the kind of cheeky innuendo Days does best. Xander and Gwen circled each other during a golf lesson heavy with double meanings, exchanging glances that spoke louder than their words. The chemistry was undeniable. The tension was nostalgic.

Afterward, back at the mansion, the flirtation turned physical. There was a brief mention of Sarah Horton—an acknowledgment of the emotional elephant still standing between them. Gwen half-joked about how long Xander’s proverbial candle would burn for his estranged love.

Then came the tumble into bed.

For longtime viewers, it felt like déjà vu. Xander and Gwen have always thrived on passion, chaos, and mutual mischief. Their history is complicated, messy, and layered with betrayal and loyalty in equal measure. Seeing them reconnect—especially on Valentine’s Day—sent social media into overdrive.

But behind the scenes, the narrative is more nuanced.

Paul Telfer Sets the Record Straight

In a candid interview, Telfer made it clear that this was not a sweeping romantic reset.

“I would say that he’s not open to romance with anyone, really,” the actor revealed, cutting through speculation with surprising honesty.

That statement reframes the entire encounter. Rather than a declaration of renewed love, the fling represents something more human—and far less certain.

Xander, as Telfer explains, is in a transitional phase. For perhaps the first time in his long, turbulent journey, he recognizes that he cannot outrun his demons through passion or distraction. Therapy is no longer lip service; it’s a genuine attempt at growth.

And growth doesn’t always pair well with impulsive romance.

The Shadow of Sarah

At the heart of Xander’s emotional paralysis lies Sarah Horton, portrayed by Linsey Godfrey. Their love story has been one of the show’s most enduring and painful arcs—full of devotion, betrayal, forgiveness, and heartbreak.

The door to Sarah may feel closed, even nailed shut. But that doesn’t mean Xander is emotionally available.

Feeling rejected is not the same as moving on.

Telfer emphasizes that Xander understands he has internal work to do. Jumping back into something serious—especially with Gwen—would complicate wounds that are only beginning to scab over. It would muddy the waters he’s trying so hard to clear.

In other words, loneliness is not love.

Gwen’s Position: Pawn or Power Player?

Gwen, played with razor-sharp intensity by Emily O’Brien, is no naïve romantic. She knows Xander’s heart has been fractured. She knows she isn’t stepping into a fairytale.

But Gwen has always operated with a strategic edge. Some fans believe she sees this as an opportunity—not necessarily to trap Xander, but to remind him of what they once had.

There’s comfort in familiarity. Safety in shared history.

Yet temptation and commitment are two very different beasts.

Telfer himself hinted at that distinction. If a beautiful woman were to “swan into Salem,” Xander’s head might turn. But turning his head doesn’t mean handing over his heart.

And that’s the crucial difference.

A Man in Transition

What makes this storyline compelling is its restraint. Instead of rushing Xander into another grand romance, the writers appear to be exploring a subtler evolution.

For years, Xander has defined himself through love, revenge, or survival. He has ricocheted between extremes—hero and villain, devoted partner and reckless schemer. Now, he stands in unfamiliar territory: self-awareness.

That doesn’t make him perfect. It makes him conflicted.

The Valentine’s encounter with Gwen was fun. Electric. Nostalgic.

But it was not transformative.

Fans React: Divided but Invested

The Days fandom is famously passionate, and reactions to the fling have been predictably split.

Some viewers celebrated the reunion, thrilled to see Xander and Gwen’s fiery chemistry reignited. Others, staunch supporters of Xander and Sarah, viewed the hookup as a painful misstep—a betrayal of a love story they still believe in.

What most fans agree on, however, is that this isn’t the endgame.

There was no sweeping declaration. No promises whispered in the dark. No sense of inevitability.

Just two complicated people seeking connection in a lonely moment.

What Comes Next?

If Telfer’s insights are any indication, the road ahead for Xander is less about romance and more about reconstruction.

He needs space. Space to untangle his motivations. Space to decide who he is without defining himself through a partner. Space to determine whether love is something he can offer authentically—or merely chase impulsively.

That doesn’t eliminate Gwen from the picture. It simply reframes her role.

She may be a chapter. She may even become something more down the line.

But this Valentine’s Day encounter? It was not a grand comeback.

It was a reminder that healing is messy—and sometimes, progress comes with setbacks.

The Bigger Picture

Soap operas thrive on passion and pairings, but Days has always excelled when it allows characters to breathe between love stories. Xander’s current arc feels like a deliberate pause—a recalibration.

The question isn’t whether he will love again.

It’s whether he can do so without losing himself.

As Salem continues to churn with secrets and shifting loyalties, one thing is certain: Xander’s heart remains one of the show’s most compelling battlegrounds.

And for now, it’s not ready to surrender to anyone—not even Gwen.

Fun? Absolutely.

Forever? Not even close.