Monday, February 26, 2007, Episode #5006

Taylor discusses Phoebe with Ridge.

Taylor stops by Brooke's house to see Ridge, who tells her about Phoebe and Rick kissing. He assures her that he has things under control since Rick ended things with Phoebe, but he suggests they give Phoebe some extra attention. Taylor asks why Rick ended things; Ridge explains that he asked Brooke to talk to Rick, and she did. Taylor isn't so sure it's over; she points out that Phoebe's feelings for Rick might not go away, even if Rick called things off, and she suggests that Rick might have told Phoebe he was ending things to placate his mother. She's especially worried about how Phoebe will react given the rough year she's had. Ridge assures Taylor that they'll help their daughter, but she frets that their help might not dull the pain of Phoebe's first real heartbreak. She promises to talk to Phoebe about it. She then suggests that Phoebe might not want to stay here if she's angry with her dad. Ridge asks Taylor about the amount of time she spends at home lately, wondering if she was with Nick when he called last night. Taylor tells him not to worry, since she will make time for Phoebe. Ridge fears she is hurting after her break-up with Thorne; Taylor assures him that she isn't seeing Nick on the rebound. Ridge asks if things are serious between her and Nick; "Let's just say I understand what Brooke saw in Nick, because I see it too," Taylor impishly replies to a surprised Ridge.

Eric reminds Stephanie of the risks in starting their new business.

Meanwhile, Eric shows Stephanie some prime boutique space he found on Rodeo Drive, just down the street from Jackie M. He explains that they were lucky that the space was available for lease, although he wishes they could have bought it, so they'd have an asset to show for their efforts if this boutique plan doesn't succeed. Of course it will succeed, Stephanie replies, wondering why he's suddenly having doubts when it was his idea to start their own chain of boutiques. Eric reminds her of the risks they're taking, And he was aware of those risks when he decided to start their own chain of retail stores, Stephanie points out. Eric reminds her that they never branched out into retail before because of those risks. Stephanie tells him to stop second guessing himself; she reminds him that there will be lots of media attention on him over these next few months, so he has to appear confident and determined. If he doesn't, this whole thing will come tumbling down on them.

Brooke drops by to see Nick.

Down the street, Brooke walks into Jackie M and looks over some outfits on the racks. Nick spots her and asks if she's lost, since he heard she might be moving in down the street. Broke admits she stopped in on her way down there. Nick guesses that she and the Forresters found a generous loan office, since this is an expensive street. Brooke retorts that Forrester Originals is a sure bet. Nick cautions that nothing is a sure bet, as she should know. Brooke tels Nick that he never could have torpedoed the Forresters' business if they had opened their own retail stores sooner. Nick is amused by her using the word "torpedo" to describe the fashion business, but she says she didn't come here to trade quips. She asks if he's heard anything about their divorce, since they signed the papers weeks ago.

Nick thinks Brooke is making excuses.

Nick thinks that's a poor excuse to come see him, since she could have easily called her lawyer. He suggests that she came here because she's curious about his personal life. Brooke tells Nick that she's been too busy with her own life to worry about his. Nick asks how things are with Rick and Phoebe, since he heard about some problems. Brooke tells him that those problems are over since she asked Rick to stop seeing Phoebe. Nick asks if she thinks those feelings will just go away, since it sounds like she only stepped in to placate Ridge. Brooke argues that Ridge is just worried about his daughter and asks Nick how he'd feel if it was Hope; Nick grows silent. Realizing she hit a nerve, Brooke apologizes and says she should be heading down the street.

Stephanie explains that Eric is suddenly feeling apprehensive.

Brooke meets up with Ridge as she enters the Forresters' new space on Rodeo Drive. They overhear Stephanie asking Eric why he's worried. Worried about what? Ridge asks. Stephanie explains that Eric is suddenly feeling apprehensive. Eric states that they have to generate a lot of buzz around this new business, not just in the fashion press, but in the mainstream media as well. Ridge agrees and thinks he has a plan to do just that; he suggests that they shut Rodeo Drive down and fill the street with members of the press while he and Brooke get married, right her in front of their new store on the day of their grand opening!

Ridge explains his idea to Brooke.

Brooke is surprised that Ridge wants to turn their wedding into a publicity stunt. Stephanie asks if they even could shut down Rodeo Drive; Ridge says that he spoke to the mayor, who is open to discussing it. Brooke points out that he is talking about their wedding. Ridge tells her that they can have a second, private ceremony later, but what better way to attract the media than by focusing an international spotlight on a grand celebrity wedding? Stephanie thinks Ridge is right. Ridge says they would do it with class, of course, but Brooke doesn't see how that's possible, Eric admits that it would be expensive, but he agrees with Ridge that it's a great idea. Brooke is surprised that Eric is on board with this, but Stephanie can't see why Brooke ISN'T on board, since Brooke has never had qualms about making a spectacle of herself. Ridge admits it wasn't what he originally planned, either, but if he and Brooke are getting married, anyway, why not do it in front of the whole world. Brooke finally agrees. Ridge promises her that nothing will stand in their way now and kisses her.

Phoebe lights up once Rick comes in.

In the Forrester Originals showroom, Brio the photographer - the funky lady shutterbug who took the semi-nude photos of Brooke last year - and an assistant are taking pictures of Phoebe, who can't get her kiss with Rick in the rain off her mind. Brio tells Phoebe to lose the faraway looks and focus. She tries to get Phoebe to picture herself having the time of her life, but it's not working until Rick comes up behind Brio. Seeing Rick makes Phoebe's face light up; pleased to see the emotions she was looking for, Brio snaps away with her camera to capture Phoebe's radiance. Rick comments that Phoebe is doing well. "She is now," Brio remarks as she wraps up the photo shoot. Once Brio and her assistant leave, Phoebe approaches Rick and leans forward to kiss him, but Rick says they can't do that here and leads her to a storage room. Hiding behind a rack of dresses, they start making out.