Jackie's glad Eric gave her something to wait for.

Eric is at his beach house, preparing some food and lighting some candles. He finishes just as Jackie arrives; she sees what he's prepared and asks if they're celebrating their children getting married. That as good an excuse as any to see her, Eric admits. She reminds him that they saw each other at the wedding, but he points out that Massimo was here. He avoided her during the ceremony because he didn't know how much her ex-husband knows about them. She doesn't intend to clue Massimo in, she tells Eric. she recalls the last time she was here. Eric is glad they waited, since it gives them something to look forward to. Cheeky, Jackie replies as they clink their glasses. He asks if that's a good thing; oh, yes, she replies. He points out that you never know what will happen when two people like them get together.

Eric is honest about the women in his life.

As they eat, Eric and Jackie agree that Nick and Bridget will be happy, as long as Nick can forget about Brooke. Jackie asks if any man has ever done that. Brooke who? Eric asks. Seriously, he replies, he wasn't able to forget Brooke as long as Stephanie was the alternative. He always thought Stephanie was an incredible woman, but she had this insatiable need to control everything. Compared to that, Brooke was a breath of fresh air; she was carefree, sexy and spontaneous, like Jackie. Jackie laughs at his attempt at flattery. More like honesty, Eric says. He sees now that Brooke was too young for him, and their relationship was on borrowed time. People make mistakes, Jackie says, pointing out how they're both unlucky in love. Surely there must be someone out there for the two of them, Eric muses. Jackie wishes they could be as lucky in love as they are in business. Business is easy, he says, since his employees do what he expects of them. Stephanie, on the other hand... He wishes he could find someone with Stephanie's wit and Brooke's charm, someone sophisticated, and yet, sexy. That's a tall order, Jackie says. Eric wonders where he could find someone like that. He and Jackie just gaze at each other for a moment before kissing.

Hector gives Taylor some advice.

Hector takes Taylor to his firehouse and shows her a small memorial to Megan Lester, a firefighter who died in a fire a few months ago. He explains how the lady firefighter died doing the job that she loved. Taylor says she heard about Ms. Lester's death; it was a real tragedy. It was, Hector agrees, but it would have been ever more tragic had Megan not become a firefighter at all. He points out that there are all kinds of heroes in this world. He thinks that Taylor has that same ability to help people, whether they're patients or part of her family, as Megan Lester did. Taylor says she doesn't always feel that way with her dysfunctional family, especially with her recent problems with Thomas. She still can't believe Thomas went out and married Gaby, even if he meant to help. She wishes Thomas now showed the same common sense he had while dating Hector's daughter. Hector warns her that she doesn't want Thomas growing up the way Ridge did, thinking that competition is the solution to all problems. Moved by his simple solution, Taylor wishes things were so easy for her. He points out that his values have caused him problems; he and Samantha broke up because she wanted a big house like the one Taylor lives in, while all he wanted was to provide a good life for his family. He tried to show Sam that without love and commitment, even the nicest house wouldn't be a home. He moves in to kiss Taylor.

Ridge tells Brooke about his separation from Taylor.

At Forrester, Brooke is stunned to hear from Ridge that he and Taylor are separated, and she's even more shocked that Ridge says he needs her. She asks Ridge what he needs from her. He replies that he needs guidance and friendship from someone who understands him. And Taylor doesn't? Brooke asks. Ridge doesn't want to talk about Taylor, but Brooke tells him that he can't just walk out on his wife and leave it at that. He explains to her how he can't even talk to Taylor these days, He thought he had it all figured out with his challenge to Thomas. Brooke thinks that his idea to challenge Thomas on the runway sounds brilliant. But Taylor didn't agree, he laments; not only didn't his wife have faith in his ability to beat their son, but she also questioned his feelings for Brooke. Brooke understands why Taylor might think that, since Brooke still has feelings for Ridge, even though she'd never act on them. Ridge thinks his wife, the psychiatrist, should know that any feelings he has for Brooke don't negate his commitment to Taylor. He can't just turn off his feelings and move on. He can if he tries, Brooke says. Ridge asks if that's what she did with Dante. She reminds him that it's none of his concern. He gave up any right to have a say in her life when he remarried Taylor at the hospital.

Brooke thinks Ridge might expect too much.

Ridge tells Brooke that he'll always have feelings for her. She assures him that she's fine. He gets a call on his cell phone; he looks to see who it is, but doesn't answer it and puts the phone down. He wants to continue this conversation. He reminds Brooke that they share a child, so he has a right to be concerned about Dante being around Hope and RJ. But his children with Taylor probably aren't thrilled that their parents are separating, Brooke points out. Ridge agrees, but he doesn't know what to do. Brooke warns him that Taylor may not sit around waiting for their relationship to get back on track, so it might be better if he talks to his wife about these issues. And his coming to her with these problems might only make things worse if Taylor finds out, Brooke suggests. Ridge agrees that it was thoughtless, and he's sorry. Still, he's not going to apologize to turning to Brooke, since he thinks they'll always share feelings, even if only as friends. Maybe he expects too much, Brooke suggests.

Taylor reminds Hector that she's a married woman.

Before Hector can get too close, Taylor pulls back and tells him not to "play with fire in the firehouse." After all, she is still a married woman. She starts to wonder if she's blown this out of proportion, since Brooke, as the mother of one of Ridge's children, will always be part of Ridge's life. In fact, the problems between her and Ridge are less about Brooke and more about how much Taylor trusts her husband. She reminds Hector that she's the one keeping company with someone other than her spouse tonight. She just doesn't know where to start saving her marriage. How about by calling Ridge? Hector suggests. Taylor thinks that's a good idea and asks to borrow his phone. She dials Ridge's cell phone.