Somehow Joke and Zo's friend Pat start chatting about Joke's interest in Zo and then Pat helps Joke be around Zo. That's it. That's literally it. Pat doesn't tell Joke how to act or what to say so that Zo will reciprocate Joke's interest or feelings. Pat doesn't even tell Joke to be nicer, he only mentions that Joke isn't the most polite person on the planet (alliteration!). Point is, Pat isn't manipulating anyone or anything, and neither is Joke. Joke just wants to be around Zo so he can get to know him. Pat tells Joke that he will suggest that Zo talk to Joke about the woman Zo likes because Joke knows her well, and then later Pat tells Joke that Zo is leaving town.

Neither Joke nor Pat did anything wrong. You know who did do something wrong? Zo. A few things, actually. Why are you reading other ppl's messages when they leave the room? Red flag. Why didn't you just ask Joke about what you read when he returned? Why assume the worst when this man has done nothing but be good to you, protect you, worry about you and take care of you? Why didn't you thank Pat when you found out that your friend helped Joke have the opportunity to get to know you? Why not appreciate how hard it must have been for Joke to watch you drooling over a woman, and to say he'd help you get a date with her?

I understand that Zo had an experience where a supposed friend kinda pushed him toward a guy who he knew would hurt Zo. Joke didn't know that when he and Pat were discussing Zo, and i doubt Pat knew either. I wish the writers had leaned more into that being the issue rather than having Zo say their relationship was based on a (nonexistent) lie. I wish that Zo had simply said that Joke should've told him about Pat when Zo told Joke about Zo getting hurt by his friend and that guy. I also wish Zo had taken a second to remember that his current relationship may have begun similarly but certainly did not end the same way as before. I also-also wish that Zo, upon remembering that things worked out this time and he has a great relationship with Joke, had been the one to apologize to his friend and Joke for overreacting. Then Pat and Joke could apologize for the fact they inadvertently recreated a very painful scenario for Zo, and Joke could apologize for not telling Zo when he should have.

Now the other couple, the soccer player and his secret relationship, that was a story worth telling! Would've been nice to see some of the things the couple mentioned...the teammates who made him feel like he couldn't be himself, being somewhere (not necessarily together) when ppl flirt with one or the other and they have to pretend that they aren't together or don't even know each other, etc. The stalker storyline should've lasted longer. He should've been given more time to cause chaos for our MC and try to break them up by pretending to be Zo's friend and by still messing with old girl (can't recall her name) which would cause Joke and Zo to be around her more so they could each harbor doubts about the other's feelings for her.