Episode 7308

Extended Summary

Willow is standing on the beach looking upset. Dean comes up behind her and refuses to leave. They hug. Dean takes her back to the flat where Colby is waiting and quips that he should be able to give her advice since he always gets dumped. Colby reluctantly acknowledges that he’s about to become an official divorcee. Willow asks where Bella is. Colby says she’s at a TAFE orientation evening, and not to change the subject.

At Salt, Mackenzie serves a customer and then, seeing Ari approach, tells him that the bar seat is reserved. Ari notes she didn’t have to save him a seat but Mackenzie says regular customers get special treatment and serves him his usual beer. Ari says it’s the only place that serves it. At the Diner, Irene greets Justin and Leah and asks the latter about returning to work, saying she needs someone to cover a couple of shifts next week. Leah thinks that’s enough time for her to get her head around it. They talk about moving on after receiving Mason’s ashes and having to decorate the nursery for Tori: She has given them a list of colours which are all variations on white.

Willow complains that this isn’t like her and she’d like to stop feeling the way she does and move on. Dean wonders what moving on looks like, whether she’s gay now or it was just Alex. Willow isn’t sure and doesn’t think she needs to label it. She says she gave everything to the relationship with Alex and for the first time she could see a future. Colby says they’re all dumb when it comes to love. Back at Salt, Mackenzie fills an order and complains to Ari about everyone wanting margaritas instead of something challenging. Ari points out he’s just drinking beer. Mackenzie drops hints about a massage but Ari knows nothing about them. She jokingly asks if he has a deep dark past but he makes his excuses and leaves, saying he has an early start.

Next morning, Colby joins Dean on the balcony, hobbling a bit in his moon boot but thinking he’s got the hang of it. He says there’s only one woman for him. Realising he means Mackenzie, Dean wonders when that happened again. Colby is sure there’s something there although he hasn’t actually spoken to her for a while. He tries to get Dean to suss it out. Near the beach, Mackenzie sees Ari and comments on his lack of shirt. He says he needed a swim and, after a short chat, heads off to get dressed for work. Dean, who has been watching, is bewildered to realise Mackenzie likes Ari.

Dean follows Mackenzie up to Salt, wondering why she’s into Ari. Mackenzie says he’s good-looking and was a hero at the hospital and they’ve been spending time together. Dean asks about Colby and Mackenzie says he’s too much hard work: She’s trying to move on, the problem is Ai doesn’t seem to realise. Dean heads downstairs and runs into Willow, who says she’s feeling better after their chat. Colby arrives for the physio session. He asks Dean if he spoke to Mackenzie and Dean says he hasn’t seen her.

Leah and Justin are getting set up to do the decorating. Justin arrives home with the paint. Leah winces about the fact that he’s ignored Tori’s colour choices and bought mint green. At the gym, Willow tries to get Colby to rest after a set but he is keen to get it over and done with so he can go and see Mackenzie. He admits that she isn’t returning his calls and Willow tries to suggest she might not be in the same headspace. In the end, she gives in and they continue.

Ari is sitting in a park area, about to eat his lunch. Dean approaches and, after an awkward attempt at small talk, asks what he’s doing with his sister. Ari didn’t know Dean had one and is surprised to hear it’s Mackenzie, then shocked when Dean tells him she’s interested in him. Dean asks what he’s going to do about it. At the gym, Willow tries to give Colby some last physio instructions, including to call a doctor if the leg starts swelling up, but Colby isn’t really listening, still eager to see Mac. Willow tries to suggest she might not be there and eventually convinces him not to see her straight after a sweaty workout.

Ari tells Dean he’s not interested in a relationship. Dean suggests he’s giving Mackenzie the wrong message. Ari isn’t keen on Dean telling him what to do but Dean points out he’s just looking out for his sister. Ari says he’ll sort it. Meanwhile, Leah arrives back home with some tape but Justin says he’s found some and done one wall…not painted it, but prepped it. Leah mocks him and sticks some tape on his bare arm, pulling off some hair. Justin does the same to her hair, then goes to kiss her but Leah jumps back in a panic. She apologises. Justin says he can wait and loves her. Leah says she loves him too.

Dean finds Willow in a mood at the gym, complaining about towels being left around. She admits that chatting with Colby has left her down again. Dean suggests they go away for a while: She can visit Russell, watch him surf and be away from reminders of Alex. Willow can see the sense of that and Dean says Jasmine can get someone else to run the gym. Dean heads up to Salt where Mackenzie admits she’s disappointed that Ari hasn’t come in. She offers Dean free drinks to keep her company but Dean explains about going away with Willow. He suggests Mackenzie doesn’t need a new relationship to move on.

Dean heads back to the flat to pack and explains to Colby, who is dressed up to go to Salt. Dean suggests that horse has bolted and points out Mackenzie is ignoring his texts. At that moment, Mackenzie drives to the caravan park with a pack of beer bottles and goes to Ari’s van. She tells him that she likes him and asks if she’s wasting her time.