Thursday, May 25, 2006, Episode #4815

Felicia tells it like it is about her posing for Dante.

In Dante's studio, Bridget is surprised to see Felicia, clad only in a sheet. Dante explains that Felicia was just posing for him. Felicia asks if Bridget changed her mind about posing; if not, she thinks she and Dante are off to a good start here. Bridget senses something personal going on. Felicia points out that Dante wanted Bridget to pose, since he obviously adores her, but Bridget's kept her distance emotionally. Dante tries to tell Bridget that he needed someone to pose so he could meet his deadline for this piece, but Felicia bluntly thinks they need some clarity here and asks Bridget if she's bothered by her posing for Dante. It does when she's like that, Bridget replies, indicating Felicia's being wrapped in a sheet. Why is that, Felicia asks, if Dante is free? Or isn't he free? Of course he is, a flustered Bridget answers. Just not free enough to be with a nude woman who thinks he's hot, Felicia quips. Dante thinks he needs some clarity of his own, but Felicia thinks it's quite clear that he's crazy about Bridget, but has a son with her. Dante reminds her that Bridget is helping raise their son. Only because they never had a shot together, Felicia says. Getting upset, Bridget says that she's been an obstacle before, so she won't let Felicia do it to her again. Felicia says that she'd never hurt Bridget, her sister, and if she has, she'll stop. Bridget says that she and Dante just have a certain relationship. How certain? Bridget isn't sure, but maybe someday, their connection might change. But since that time isn't now, Bridget intends to move out.

Felicia doesn't think Bridget moving out makes sense and wonders if Bridget thinks that will bring her and Dante closer. She then asks if Dante is supposed to stay celibate in the meantime. That's up to him, Bridget says. Then what's he waiting for? Felicia asks. Bridget asks if that means, "why wait when the express line is open?" Felicia says there's no need to get nasty and asks Bridget what special ingredient will come along to change her friendship with Dante into something else. Is it that Bridget's waiting to see if Nick breaks up with her mother? Bridget accuses Felicia of butting into something that's not her business, just like Stephanie would. Felicia reminds Bridget that she has a son with Dante. A son she thought was hers, too, Bridget responds. He is, Felicia says, admitting she made a mess by drafting Bridget into motherhood when it looked like she was dying. Bridget even gave up her marriage for Dominick, and Felicia can never repay her for doing that. But the fact is that she didn't die, so all they call do is figure out where to go next. She thinks that if something was going to happen between Bridget and Dante, it would have by now. And since it hasn't, would it be so bad for her to take a crack at Dante, and give Dominick a chance to have his parents together? She points out that Bridget has nothing to offer Dante if she's still hung up on Nick. But if Bridget wants Dante, she just has to say the word, and Felicia will forget about being with him, for tonight, and forever. She leaves Bridget and Dante to hash this out.

Bridget wonders if she and Dante will ever have more than they have now.

Bridget tells Dante that she really hates when Felicia is right. He reminds her of the conversation they never had and thinks they just had it, so maybe Felicia should send him a bill. Bridget jokes that he shouldn't open anything Felicia sends in front of Dino, but she then gets serious and asks him if he's interested in Felicia. He says he is and asks if he shouldn't be. No, Bridget tells him, he shouldn't have to live as a monk anymore. He says he's not as good at words as Felicia. Bridget says he is, but he just wouldn't use them to hurt her, even though she deserved it. Dante says she deserves the best, and he wanted to be that for her. She admits he laid his cards on the table. If she wants him to wait, he says, he will. Bridget thinks she's done that too often. If they were meant to happen, she asks, wouldn't it have happened? Dante agrees. Bridget lays her head on his shoulder, wondering if they'll ever find out they're anything more.

Stephanie tries to reassure Ridge.

At the Forrester mansion, Stephanie brings milk and cookies as he tries to call Brooke again. When Brooke doesn't answer, he leaves another message. Stephanie tells him that Brooke just needs time, but he wonders if she might not want him anymore. But she came back from Mexico for him, Stephanie points out. But that doesn't mean she'll be his wife, he replies. She tells him that Brooke is just afraid after all his waffling. That's why she gave Brooke half the company, so that Brooke knows she'll be accepted as his wife. She hopes Brooke comes around, since she doesn't have many outs. Ridge eats a cookie and recalls how hard she fought to take the company from Eric. She fights like a tiger, she admits, although sometimes she surprises herself, and others she wears herself out. Ridge says he has to see that, but she assures him that her old body gets tired. But this time, she adds, she wore herself out fighting for him. Ridge thanks her for doing that.

Jackie tries to reassure Nick.

Jackie drops by Nick's office to reassure him. He knows Brooke deserves to run Forrester Creations, but he fears that to make it happen, she'll have to take a huge bribe that pushes her to Ridge. As Jackie is about to reply, she gets a call on her cell from Stephen, who has to postpone their dinner plans to help a friend. She says that's fine, since she's doing the same thing for Nicky. Stephen asks her to tell Nick that things are looking up. She asks if Nick will understand that; he chuckles that Nick will and bids her goodbye.

Stephen has a suggestion for Taylor.

As Stephen hangs up, he and Taylor are shown to their table at Cafe Russe. He's impressed that she has the clout to get a table here so easily. Even if it's 2%? she asks. She apologizes as they sit down at the table. Stephen checks the wine list and favors the familiar Paris labels over the California ones he barely recognizes. Taylor turns her glass down and says she doesn't need any. She starts to tell him what Ridge liked but then guesses she never really knew what Ridge liked, other than Stephen's daughter. She feels like this is a bad idea; Stephen asks if she feels that because of the way Stephanie tipped her like a bellhop. She tells him that was Stephanie's way of showing her that she's still part of the family. Then why didn't Stephanie support her marriage? he asks. She says she felt like it was Stephanie's marriage, not hers. And now Stephanie is betting on another horse to make Ridge happy, since she's deathly afraid of losing him if he doesn't forgive her. Stephen says that he's deathly afraid of Brooke going back to Ridge. Taylor doesn't blame Brooke for this. Stephen understands, explaining that he knows what it's like to get chewed up and spit out by the Forrester machine. He asks what she'd do if he had a way she and Brooke could get back their own and be rid of the greedy Forresters.