Nick tries to avoid talking about his feelings.

On the Shady Marlin, Nick tells Bridget how wrong it feels to be sitting here with her, feeling miserable. They both went though the same thing, she reminds him. She says that she's seen her mom break men's hearts, including her dad's, since she was a kid. She knows Brooke doesn't mean to hurt them: it's just that her mom's like an irresistable Greek siren who draws sailors so close that they accidentally crash their ships into the rocks and drown. Using her analogy, Nick says that he fixed his ship and sailed on, and he thinks she should do the same. She says she's trying. He tells her to try harder. In time, he's sure they'll both be OK. She just wishes she knew when. Nick tells her not to ask him, as he still has a Brooke Logan shrine in his drawer. Bridget tells him to be serious and admit that he's still in love with her mom. He says again that he moved on. She asks how he did it. By just going from one day to the next, he says.

In Nick's dream, Brooke comes back to him - to stay.

Bridget asks if he still dreams about Brooke. When he reluctantly says he does, she asks if it's the same dream every night. He doesn't want to answer, but she presses him until he admits it is. She asks him to describe the dream. He tells her that he's here on the boat, all sweaty and greasy from working on the engine. Then he looks up and sees Brooke, lit by the moonlight and wearing a flowing white dress. She steps into the cabin, gives him one of those looks and tells him she's back - and this time, she's staying. Then he wakes up. And he's all alone, Bridget guesses.

With Nick's help, Bridget comes to a realization.

Bridget thanks Nick for opening up: she knows it was hard for him. But it made her realize something about her situation. The love he had for her mom, she points out, was real. But what she had with Ridge was just... He tells her not to minimize the connection she and Ridge shared. She says she isn't. But she also knows that if she felt for Ridge what he felt for her mom, she'd never be able to live under Ridge's roof. The fact that she's doing it shows she's got a better handle on things than she realized, and it's a relief to see that now. Nick's glad to hear that she's feeling better now. Maybe that day when they'll both be OK will come sooner than they thought, she suggests. He agrees.

Ridge tells Brooke that he'll never risk ruining their marriage.

In Ridge and Brooke's bedroom, a lingerie clad Brooke lights candles as Ridge, wearing just a pair of black, silky pants, enters. He clears his throat to get her attention. She approves of his attire. He says she should, since she gave it to him for Christmas. Trying not to break the mood, she asks how things went with his mother. He says it was frustrating, but he's glad he went over there. After talking to Stephanie, he really thinks she isn't trying to stir things up. Brooke recalls Stephanie said that to her, too. Ridge tells Brooke he's proud of her, as this is something most moms couldn't handle. He's sure the two of them can help Bridget through this. She agrees, as long as he gives Bridget time to accept him as just her stepfather or her friend [Note from Scott - or her brother, since he still considers Eric his dad]. Ridge assures her that he'd never mess up what they have: it's just too beautiful. She asks him to show her how beautiful. He starts to kiss her and lowers her to the bed, but then the doorbell rings. Brooke thinks she should get that before it wakes the baby. Ridge says she's too sexy for that, so he puts on a robe and goes down.

Amber tries to get through to Ridge.

Outside, Amber rings the doorbell as she recalls Ridge telling Stephanie that he would never so much as touch Bridget again, since it would cost him his marriage. Now that Amber knows Ridge is only human, she hopes she can convince him to give her a chance with Thomas. Ridge opens the door and sees Amber, who just smiles at him. He tells her that Thomas is catching up on schoolwork, since he spent too much time with her over Christmas break. Actually, Amber tells Ridge, she came her to see him. He tells her to call Megan for an appointment [even though he's not at Forrester?]. Amber tells him that she knows why he danced with her at the Jackie M party, to give Thomas time with Caitlin.

Ridge says he just thought two friends should have time together. He admits surprise that Amber didn't figure his plan out sooner. She says she let her guard down in the hopes that he would give her a chance, and she still wants that. Even if his mother tolerates her, he says, he never will. But she's played by his and Stephanie's rules, Amber argues. She and Thomas have even cut back on sex, and they're fine. Even though that's her only advantage over Caitlin? he asks. She says Caitlin's no threat to her: in fact, she's glad Thomas is taking Caitlin to the dance, because she cares about him. She just wishes Ridge could see that. Ridge says he won't let her ruin Thomas's life like she did Rick's. She admits she made mistakes with Rick, but she's changed. Hasn't he ever made a mistake he regretted and hurt someone he loves? she asks. And hasn't he been forgiven? Ridge bets she'd love to dig up his mistakes and call him a hypocrite. She says she just wants him to see that nobody's perfect, and that people deserve second chances. Ridge says that nothing he's ever done can compare to her crimes.

Amber asks Ridge if he'd ever believe she has any decency. If she had, he says, she'd have walked away from his son long ago. Amber insists that she and Thomas make each other happy. And even if Ridge objects, Thomas is 18, so they don't need his blessing. But she does need his blessing for a future in this family, Ridge says - but she'll never have that. This family isn't big enough for both of them.

Bridget walks in: seeing Ridge with Amber, she offers to leave them alone. Ridge tells her to stay, since Amber's just leaving. As Ridge leads her to the door, Amber tells him he knows what it's like to have someone stand between him and the woman he loves. Ridge says they have nothing in common. Except his son, she says. Not anymore, he says: that relationship is over. She asks him to be reasonable, but he refuses. He tells her to stay away from his family and slams the door on her, leaving Amber sobbing outside.