Nichols, who has played Steve off and on since 1985 ... but she didn't stay in town long. Now, Jada thinks she is about to marry Rafe (Galen Gering) but has no idea that the man at the end ...

Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson) shared a fun and informative ... "It's actually better now because we're so far ahead that we shoot it now and then it's a long time [till it airs].