Thursday, February 15, 2007, Episode #4999

In Nick's office at Forrester Creations, Taylor challenges Brooke to tell Nick that it's over between them; she doesn't think that should be hard if Brooke is as committed to Ridge as she claims. Brooke says that she will always care for Nick. Taylor contends that caring doesn't give Brooke the right to be jealous. Brooke replies that she was just surprised that Taylor was going to dinner with Nick on Valentine's day, especially so soon after Taylor and Thorne broke things off. Taylor reminds Brooke that Thorne broke things off with her, and her relationship with Nick had nothing to do with that. Nick chimes in that he and Taylor are both moving on with their lives; in his case, he thought that Brooke wanted him to move on. Brooke reminds Nick that they were discussing something before Taylor interrupted. Nick says that he'll think about it as he bids Brooke "Happy Valentine's" and leaves with Taylor.

Rick questions Ridge's loyalty to Brooke.

At Brooke's house, Ridge asks Rick where Brooke is. Rick doesn't know, but he chuckles that Ridge doesn't know, either. Ridge points out that Hope and R.J. are staying with Thorne tonight and asks Rick if he has any plans. Rick bluntly asks if Ridge would like a list of his schedule activities tonight for Valentine's Day; Ridge tells Rick that he can do what he wants as long as he recognizes the boundaries, Rick bitterly recalls Ridge's sharp warning to him and promises to give Ridge a wide berth with his mom. Ridge is glad to hear that, since Rick has done nothing but try to challenge him since he came hone, including siding with Eric about opening their own boutiques. Rick says he sided with his dad because he believes in Eric's vision and doesn't want to sell out. Ridge claims to be the only one thinking straight, so Rick asks how many times Ridge's straight thinking put the family at risk. Ridge counters that Rick should not question his loyalty to the family; Rick is OK with that, but he questions Ridge's loyalty to Brooke, especially after Ridge walked out on Brooke, Hope and R.J. to be with Taylor. He recalls how Stephanie faked her heart attack then, even if Stephanie accepts Brooke now, and he then brings up how Ridge changed his mind and left Taylor for Brooke. That, too, had its consequences, since Taylor started drinking. Ridge says he can't be responsible for that, but Rick thinks Ridge should be responsible for admitting how much pain he caused Brooke!

Brooke tries to get Rick to accept her future with Ridge.

Just then, Brooke comes home and tells both Ridge and Rick to stop fighting! She reminds them that today is Valentine's Day. Rick says he just can't let Ridge throw in the towel. Ridge argues that he's just trying to salvage the situation and tells Rick not to make this personal, but Rick points out he only does that because Ridge is marrying Brooke for the umpteenth time. Brooke thinks they should forget that for now and focus on the future of Forrester Originals, but Ridge still refuses to back Eric's plan to run their own boutiques. Brooke says they might not have to, since she talked to Nick about his carrying Forrester Originals, and he's considering it. Ridge can't believe Brooke wants them to give Popeye another chance to screw the family, but Rick thinks Ridge only fears that dealing with Nick will mean Brooke spending tome with him. Brooke asks Rick if she can speak to him alone, so Ridge leaves. Alone with his mom, Rick is excited that she went to talk to Nick, but Brooke assures him that it doesn't change her commitment to Ridge. Besides, even if she still cares for Nick, he's moved on. Rick senses that Brooke still loves Nick and urges her not to let him go, because it might soon be too late if she does. He points out that Nick is the only guy in her life since his dad that he approved of, but Brooke assures him that she and Ridge will be married. She asks him to accept that, but Rick says he can't. With that, Brooke tells Rick she loves him and goes up to bed.

Nick has plans for a romantic dinner.

When Nick brings Taylor to the Marone mansion, she presumes that he's there to change out of his suit so they can go to Chuck's. Nick is flattered that she would want to spend Valentine's Day with him at Chuck's, he has something more romantic in mind. He brings her inside where he has a candle-lit table for two ready. Taylor is surprised, but pleased. However, she wonders about his talk with Brooke earlier that she interrupted. Nick tells her that Brooke asked for a favor, and he'll consider it, since he'll always care about Brooke. At the same time, he stresses, that relationship is over. He breaks open some non-alcoholic champagne so he and Taylor can enjoy the evening. As they sit down to eat, Nick asks Taylor what the status of their doctor/patient relationship is. When she says it's up to him, he fires her; Taylor quips that she'll bill him later. Nick suggests they only talk about personal things, so Taylor asks if his moves in the fashion world make him happy. He admits he's happy, although he sees how she might be in a tight spot because of what he did. Taylor says she'll always be connected to the Forresters through her kids, but she still recalls what Stephanie did to his mother, which strained Taylor's own relationship with Stephanie. Nick says he warned Stephanie; Taylor agrees that he did, and then he saw something he wanted and took it. Nick asks if she's the kind of woman who takes what she wants; she says she just might be.

Taylor shows Nick that she's a passionate woman.

As they sit by the fire, Taylor asks Nick if he finds they're being together on Valentine's Day odd. Nick doesn't and asks how she feels. She thinks it's nice, although she admits he may still be in a healing phase. Nick thinks the same is true of her and asks her to talk about things from an unprofessional standpoint. She asks if he's ready to go there. He thinks he is and asks if she's a passionate woman. Drawing close to him, she says that she is. They start to kiss. Nick's cell phone rings; Taylor asks if he wants to get that, but he tells her to let it go - so Rick gets Nick's voice mail when he calls and leaves a message. "I need to talk to you about my mother," Rick states.