Gaby is thrilled with Thomas's news.

At Insomnia, Thomas tells Gaby that it's still tense at home, with his dad out of town and his mom and Brooke under one roof. He doesn't want to say anything more about that, since that's not why he asked her here. She bets it has to do with them both going to Ledgemont College this fall. Thomas agrees that it's a small world, with them both going to the same school. She thinks things are looking up. Just like he said they would, he states; he's glad she's happy, since that makes him happy. He holds her hand. Gaby hopes she'll get a scholarship to pay her tuition. Thomas reminds her of his grandparents' offer to pay her tuition, but he sees that bothers her, so he assures her that she'll be offered a scholarship. Gaby notices some papers spread out on the table and asks what they are. Thomas tells her that it's a contract for him to work as a designer for Spectra Couture. Gaby is thrilled, but she sees that he hasn't signed it. He says that he's worried about how his family will react, especially since his dad and grandpa don't think he's ready. Gaby says that she thinks he's ready. He just hopes Uncle Thorne is OK with this; in fact, he's going over there now and asks her to wish him luck. She does, although she doesn't think he'll need it, and she kisses him on the cheek as she bids him goodbye.

Sally and Clarke tell Thorne their idea.

At Spectra, Sally tells Thorne and Darla that she wants to hire Thomas as a designer. Thorne's not sure that's a good idea. Sally thinks it is; she's sure that Thomas has inherited the Forrester design sense, but King Eric blew it by shooting his grandson down. Darla reminds Thorne how bummed Thomas sounded on the phone the other day. Thorne agrees, but he's still unsure. Sally says that hiring Thomas is a stroke of brilliance. It's a stroke of cheapness, Clarke chimes in, given the salary in the contract she gave the kid. "You what?" Thorne asks. Sally says that she just called Thomas over to get his ideas for possible designers. What was she supposed to do when he pitched himself? Thorne asks if she considered the tension this could cause in his family, especially given the flak it caused when he came over here. Sally says that's her point: his family refused to give him the respect he deserved, and the same goes for Thomas. She thought that Thorne, of anyone, would be willing to give Thomas a shot, but she guesses she was wrong.

Thorne and Darla wonder about Sally's idea.

Thorne says that he can empathize with Thomas, since he knows what it's like to be shut out by Ridge and Eric. But he worries that Thomas isn't a designer. Sally says that she's not doing this to stick it to the Forresters. She'd never do that, Clarke sarcastically quips. Sally says that she's doing this because Thomas is young and energetic, and he has just the kinds of ideas they will need to launch their teen line. As if on cue. Thomas comes in. Sally asks if he's had time to read the contract. He says he has, but he wants to make sure how Thorne feels about this first. Thorne admits that he's worried about how the family will react. Thomas assures him that he's thought this through. He talked to his dad and his grandpa, but they both thought he wasn't ready, and he doesn't see them changing their minds. Sally thinks that's utter nonsense. a waste of Thomas's raw talent - talent that she wants to see Thomas develop here at Spectra. She turns to Clarke and Darla, who both agree that Spectra is all about developing new talent.

Thomas asks for a chance to prove himself.

Thomas tells Thorne that he doesn't want to make things awkward for him. He knows he's inexperienced, but he promises to work hard to prove himself. Thorne points out that people will be talking. But isn't that kind of buzz what fashion is all about? Thomas asks. Sally takes that as a sign that Thomas is a natural and asks Thorne to give his nephew a chance. Thorne thinks about it for a moment before shaking Thomas's hand and welcoming him aboard. Darla comes over and gives Thomas a hug; she just hopes he knows what he's getting into. He says he does. Sally tells Thomas to come over to her, but he pauses; he just wants to make one thing clear. Sally bets it's about money, but Thomas says it's something else. He just wants her to know that this job is just for the summer, since he's starting college in the fall. He hopes that's not a deal-breaker. Sally agrees to his terms, but she thinks he'll change his mind once he sees how fabulous it is to work here. She then tells Thomas to come over so she can properly welcome him to Spectra. Thomas comes over, and Sally gives him a great big hug.

Stephanie and Taylor try to convince Nick to talk to Brooke.

At the Forrester mansion, Stephanie again asks Nick to talk to Brooke and prepare her for the inevitable, since she is sure that Ridge will choose Taylor. Nick just doesn't see Ridge walking away from Brooke and their son, no matter what Stephanie says. Taylor asks Nick if this bothers him. Why should it, he asks, when this is Ridge's decision, not his? But he'd be sparing the children's feelings by preventing World War III, Stephanie says. Nick doesn't see how he can ask Brooke to just give up her marriage. He's looking at it from Brooke's view, Stephanie says. She thinks he might see things differently if he spends some time with Taylor. She thinks Nick is still the best person to convince Brooke to step aside graciously and walk away with her head held high. Nick thinks this stinks and asks Taylor if she agrees, especially since she and Stephanie are so close. They're friends, Taylor says. Nick says that Brooke is his friend. Stephanie thinks she went about this the wrong way; she thinks Nick might relate better to Taylor without her here, so she offers to leave. Sure, Nick quips, leave him with the shrink. Stephanie reminds him how Brooke always talks about destiny: real destiny, she says, pointing to Taylor, is right in front of him, and she hopes he'll keep that in mind.

Nick gives Taylor his opinion.

After Stephanie leaves, Nick asks Taylor if she planned this. Taylor says she had no idea what Stephanie wanted when she invited her over. She sees that Nick is uncomfortable being put in this position and asks if he wants to leave; he says he will once he makes something clear about Brooke. She admires how protective he is of Brooke, but she wants him to see that Stephanie is right about how much Brooke has hurt this family. Nick asks how Brooke hurt Ridge. Taylor tells him that she knows about Puerto Vista. But it didn't happen the way Stephanie said, he points out, since it wasn't Brooke's fault. Then it was his? Taylor asks. Nick says he doesn't have to justify himself. He knows Brooke has been a good mother and thinks that Taylor can see that, too. Taylor says that she appreciates what Brooke did, but she can't allow someone who has made the choices Brooke has to be around her kids. The take the kids and move out, Nick says. Taylor asks why she should be the one to move out when she's legally married to Ridge. And that makes it OK to take Ridge away from Hope and RJ? he asks. Taylor says that won't happen. In that case, Nick suggests, how about she be the one to tell Hope that Daddy is leaving for good!