Wednesday, August 01, 2007, Episode #5115

Brooke talks with Rick about Phoebe.

Rick drops by Brooke's house to talk about what happened with Phoebe. He tells Brooke that he needs to figure out how to let Phoebe know he's sorry. Brooke asks him not to be angry with her for saying this, but she doesn't think it's best for him and Phoebe to be together. Rick tells him mom that he stayed up all night thinking about this, and he sees how stupid he was to run to Ashley for comfort after Phoebe broke up with him. Brooke suggests that it's difficult for him and Phoebe, as they're at different stages in this lives. Rick, however, thinks Phoebe is worth the effort. But love shouldn't be something that you need to work hard at, Brooke asserts, yet she sees him and Phoebe always fighting to make things fit. Rick admits that he knows in his head that love shouldn't be that way, but his heart tells him otherwise. Brooke reminds him how his head and his heart led him into a bad situation with Amber, and she doesn't want that to happen to him and Phoebe. Rick assures her that it won't, even if he and Phoebe aren't sleeping together. Brooke submits that love should be easy, so seeing two people in love fall out of synch might mean that those two people aren't right for each other, or that the timing might be off. Rick thanks Brooke for her concern, but he's tired of people telling him that Phoebe's wrong for her. He thinks Phoebe is worth anything he has to do to be with her.

Phoebe tells Constantine that he was right.

Phoebe goes to see Constantine, who shows Phoebe the page on his web site that his investor created for "The Boldface Challenge." He thinks the whole thing is really cool, letting visitors log onto boldfacerecords.com, listen to Phoebe's duets with him and Rick, and vote for the one they like the best. And the best part is that Boldface Records will sponsor a concert on August 24 showcasing some of their latest acts, with the winner of the contest as the main attraction. Phoebe's enthusiasm dims when she realizes that she might have to sing on stage with Rick if her duet with him wins. "I can't do this," she tells him. Constantine asks what the problem is, so Phoebe tells him that she found out about Rick's "other woman." "You and my dad were right," she sobs.

Constantine reassures Phoebe.

Once Phoebe tells him the whole story, Constantine tries to be understanding. He tells her that he's really sorry that Rick betrayed her trust. The only problem is that his company has this whole contest thing in motion and has even booked the venue and started to sell tickets. With the website getting so many hits, it means that... "I might have to sing a love song with Rick in front of thousands of people," Phoebe realizes. Constantine reminds her that this concert could be her ticket to the big time, so he urges her not let Rick take that away from her. Instead, he suggests that she encourage all her friends to vote for "Phoebe and Constantine" and teach Rick a lesson. Thinking about it that way, Phoebe agrees to do the concert. Constantine offers to tell Rick about the contest, but Phoebe says she'll do it. Constantine assures her that she made the right decision.

Rick tries to get through to Phoebe.

Phoebe goes to work at Forrester Originals, where she works with some models on designs from their latest collection. Rick barges in to talk to Phoebe; Phoebe tells him that she's busy, but Rick insists that this is important, so Phoebe sends the models to change outfits. Once the models are gone, she asks Rick what's so important that he had to interrupt. "Us," Rick replies. Phoebe reminds him that she told him last night that it's over, but Rick refuses to believe that and warns Phoebe that she can't keep avoiding him. Phoebe concedes that he's right and tells him about Constantine's online contest. She explains that she'd prefer not to do it, but the promoter got started and everything is booked for August 24. Rick is glad that she agreed to do the contest and the concert, because he thinks his duet with Phoebe can beat the one she did with Constantine. "This is my chance to prove how much I love you," he pleads, stressing that every vote for their song is a vote for them as a couple. Phoebe still seems cold to him, but Rick isn't letting that get him down. "I am going to spend my lifetime loving you," he promises, quoting the song from their duet.

Jackie wonders what Donna is up to.

Jackie and Donna go to Bikini Beach for lunch. Donna calls Brooke and asks her sister to join them, but Brooke says she's too busy at work and tells Donna to go ahead without her. Donna worries that Brooke's keeping busy to cope with not having the kids and guesses that Brooke didn't sleep again last night. Brooke says she tries not to think about it. As Donna ends the call, Jackie commiserates with her over Brooke's situation. Donna fumes that it's all Stephanie's fault and prays for La Forrester to get what's coming to her. Jackie worries about the toll this is taking on Brooke, and Donna agrees that Brooke isn't taking care of herself thanks to Stephanie. The bartender comes over to check on the ladies and asks Donna if her friend got home OK the other night. Donna says she managed. After the bartender walks away, Jackie asks what that was about, so Donna explains how she took Thorne home when she found him here, drunk. Stephanie comes in and sits down at a table with Hope and R.J. Seeing Donna's gaze drift towards La Forrester, Jackie senses that there's more going on, especially with Thorne Forrester involved. She asks Donna if her act of kindness was part of some plan to get back at Stephanie.

Stephanie gives Donna a warning...

As Stephanie orders juice and a smoothie for the kids and an espresso for herself, Donna comes over and kisses her niece and nephew. Stephanie asks R.J. what he wants for lunch. "Pah-sketti," he cheerfully replies. Hope asks Stephanie if she and R.J. can watch the bartender make their smoothies. Stephanie says they can, but tells the kids to stay close where she can see them. Once the kids rush off, Donna asks Stephanie why Hope and R.J. aren't with Ridge. Stephanie explains that Ridge asked her to watch the kids while he's at work; unhappy with Donna's insinuations, she thinks she and the kids should take their drinks someplace that has a better clientele. Stephanie alleges that Ridge knows that the kids are safe with her. "And they're not with their mother?" Donna asks. Not according to the court, Stephanie responds. Donna tears into Stephanie for using those kids out of hatred for Brooke and a need to need to control... Stephanie cuts her off and tells her to go back to her table, but Donna refuses to leave until Stephanie shows Brooke some respect. Stephanie says that those kids are better off with her family, and she alleges that it's even good to Brooke, who is now free to go back to her whoring ways without the kids to tie her down. Donna tries to slap Stephanie, but La Forrester grabs her hand and warns, "Don't you ever do that every again." She suggests Donna get back to her table where she belongs.

...and Donna gives Stephanie a warning of her own.

Donna gets a call on her cell phone from Thorne. Not letting on who she's talking to, Donna acts like she's still upset about the other night. Thorne tells her that he feels bad about what happened and asks if he can meet her. Sounding reluctant, Donna tells him to meet her there at Bikini Beach. Stephanie asks what poor sucker she's reeling in now. Donna seethes, "There's nothing I can do to hurt you, the way you hurt Brooke?" Stephanie tells Donna that she can't win. Donna accuses Stephanie of wanting Ridge to get custody permanently. "That would be best for the children," Stephanie responds, advising Donna to stop before she makes things worse for Brooke. Donna warns Stephanie that Brooke will get her kids back, despite Stephanie's efforts, and she adds, "You have no idea how good you had it with Brooke." Stephanie doesn't see how she had it good with the "daughter-in-law from hell." Donna warns that Stephanie could have done a lot worse than Brooke and hopes that Stephanie realizes that someday. ""I'm trembling," Stephanie retorts, brushing off the threat.