In a playful competition, the once-married couple texted Tori Keeth at the same time to see who she would respond to first.

“Two’s company, three’s a crowd,” according to many — but Katie Maloney and Tom Schwartz continue to test the theory in the latest episode of Vanderpump Rules.

The once-married couple came together in Season 11, Episode 13, discussing life after divorce over a few milkshakes at L.A.’s famous Mel’s Drive-In diner. The friendly one-on-one conversation comes after both found themselves in a love triangle with singer and actress Tori Keeth, whom the couple met through Scheana Shay.

But, at least according to what Tom said in his confessional, Katie vying for Tori is a sign of endearment, actually

How Tom Schwartz felt about kissing same girl as Katie Maloney

“I know it’s weird, but I think Katie pursuing a girl that I’ve been hanging out with is her way of saying that ‘I miss hanging out,’” said Tom. “I think that’s our post-divorce love language.”

It even became a cordial competition between the two, and a flashback showed Katie and the new woman popping bubbly and enjoying one another’s company just 10 days earlier. When Tom asked about their date, Katie admitted with a smile, “It was good.”

“I think she just likes me more than she likes you,” Katie told her ex.

Despite winning a “cheeky little peck” from Tori, Tom seemed dubious of the date, although Katie admitted she “got tongue.”

It was game on when the exes decided to text Tori at the same time to see who she responded to first. Tom sent his simple greeting just a moment after Katie, but it was Tom who received the first reply just two minutes before his ex-wife.

Katie rationalized the loss by saying that Tom’s text must have been at the top of Tori’s messages, saying, “She was just going down the list.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” Tom joked.

Are Tom Schwartz and Katie Maloney friends?

Since finalizing their divorce in 2022, Tom and Katie (finally) seem to be on the same wavelength, as far as the dating game goes.

Regarding his recently-paused “situationship” with Jo Wenberg, Tom admitted his and Jo’s time together came when Tom was in “a very weird place” in his life.

“I’ve always been clear: I don’t wanna date, I don’t wanna have a girlfriend,” Tom told Katie. “We more or less decided to maybe take a break from hanging out so much.”

Tom added he felt “so sad” after Jo asked him if he was embarrassed to be seen with her. In Jo’s defense, however, Katie said Tom only had himself to blame because he was so “elusive” about their relationship.

The Schwartz & Sandy’s co-owner asked Katie about where she stood in her current love life, which comes shortly after news broke of her hookup with Tom’s friend, Max Boyens.

“I am getting to know people, but more in an intentional kind of way,” Katie said. “I have zero expectations with anyone.”

“That’s me right now,” Tom replied.

Tom and Katie’s sit-down is a nice breakaway from the pair’s post-divorce tension, especially since they are on opposite sides in the ongoing war between Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix.

“I know that I told Tom I wouldn’t see him one-on-one, but there is still part of me that does still want to have some type of friendship with Tom,” Katie told producers. “Having spent so much time with a person and them just becoming a stranger, I just can’t quite wrap my head around that.”

Katie told Tom over lunch that they’d “never be the same.” However, some habits may die hard, especially since a once-off hookup might be in store for the exes, as seen in the preview for Season 11, Episode 14.

“I know we’re divorced, but I was thinking maybe one last time, tonight, me and you, one-night stand,” Tom said, prompting Katie to smile and hide her face.