Tuesday, January 23, 2007, Episode 4982

Thorne tells Phoebe that her dad is trying to get his goat.

At Forrester Originals, Phoebe asks her Uncle Thorne if she knows where her mom is; she thought she and Taylor might take Alexandria for ice cream, so Aly can spend time with Taylor. She already called Taylor's call, but nobody answered. Thorne guesses that her mom had to meet a patient, but he thinks Phoebe's idea about getting Taylor and Aly together was thoughtful. Maybe they can still go later, Phoebe suggests. Only if Captain Bligh doesn't kidnap her first, Ridge quips, like Nick did when he whisked Brooke, Hope and R.J. off to a deserted island. Brooke reminds him that Nick just took them camping, and she was the one who forgot to call. Phoebe asks what's going on; Thorne tells her that her dad is trying to get his goat, but it's not working.

Arthur Harrison drops in on the Forresters.

The Forresters then get a visit from old friend Arthur Harrison, who came in to check out Forrester Originals. [Yesterday, Jackie named Arthur as the west coast equivalent of Lauren Fenmore and one of the five major distributors who the Forresters use.] Arthur is impressed by the new operation. Ridge introduces Arthur to Phoebe and tells Arthur that Phoebe will be doing some modeling for them; Arthur is even more impressed that Eric is getting the whole clan involved in his family business. Ridge tells Phoebe that Arthur's father bought her a rocking horse when she was three years old. Speaking of Arthur's family, Brooke asks how he and his sisters are doing since his father passed. Arthur says his sister's OK, although he's been busy taking over the business. Thorne guesses Arthur has big shoes to fill. "Tell me about it," Arthur states. As Arthur stops to take a call, Phoebe says she'll get going and promises to have Taylor call Thorne once they hook up.

Arthur gets off the phone, upset that his flight back to San Francisco has been canceled. Now he won't fly back until tonight, which means he'll miss his daughter's recital at school. Ridge says that he'd offer their jet [which they still inexplicably own], but it's in Chicago. Arthur says he'll call his daughter after, but Brooke suggests they reschedule this meeting so Arthur can try chartering a plane from Long Beach. Ridge agrees, since they heard about Arthur's divorce from Chrissy. Arthur thanks them for understanding that family comes first, and he wishes the Forrester family the best after what they've been through. Ridge replies that they're bouncing back - and so are he and Brooke, as Arthur has probably guessed from the runway proposal. Arthur is pleased that the Forrester dream team has reunited and offers the full support of his boutiques to Forrester Originals.

Ridge and Brooke decide to christen the new offices.

As Thorne walks Arthur to the elevator, Ridge tells Brooke that it's a shame about Arthur and Chrissy. Brooke suggests that the Harrisons could still get back together, just like she and Ridge did. Ridge says not everyone's as lucky as they are; Brooke agrees that the stars are on their side, both personally and professionally. They're both glad to have two major distributors, Fenmore's and Harrison's, on board. Ridge agrees that it feels good to be back in business. It reminds him of the way things were when he and Brooke worked late at Forrester Creations on projects like BeLieF and the men's line. Brooke feels like it's just as hot in here now as it was in those old days, so Ridge suggests they christen the new office. Brooke likes the way that sounds, so they go into another office and she starts to undress hi,. After they make love, Ridge tells Brooke that he waited so long to connect with her again, both personally and professionally. Brooke says it's almost perfect; she just fears that Taylor could be right that this feud with Nick could get ugly, especially if Nick sues them over use of the Forrester name. Ridge tells her that Nick has hands full, so the best thing Nick can do is admit he's outgunned before he gets embarrassed. He's sure Nick can't hurt them.

Nick wants to heaar about Taylor.

At Jackie M, Taylor is disturbed by the tone in Nick's voice. Nick replies that he's made a lot of enemies lately, so he's just glad to have someone besides his mother in his corner. Taylor reminds him that she's engaged to Thorne, so her relationship with Nick is complicated. Only if they let it get that way by worrying about what others think, Nick responds. Taylor says she can't ignore what others thinks, but Nick thinks the two of them have fun together. On that note, he suggests she join him at Chuck's to split a bucket of wings for lunch. Taylor reluctantly agrees. When they get there, Nick cleans the peanut shells off the table. Taylor recalls the last time they were here and wonders if a bar was a good idea after everything they've both been through. Nick says they'll be fine and orders a bucket of wings and two colas. Taylor asks if he's still comfortable in a place like this since he's given up life at sea. Nick replies that he wants to hear about her; he tells her to kick back, quit being a doctor for a while and tell him something he doesn't know about her.Taylor gives him her history in a nutshell. She was married before Ridge to a man that stalked her - not one of her more brilliant choices, she admits. Her mother died when she was young, leaving her dad to raise her and her younger brother. Her dad had a gambling problem, so things got chaotic. Her first husband promised to make things better, but it didn't happen, and she supposes that's why she went into psychiatry, to help people. Nick thinks he's starting to piece the puzzle of Taylor Hayes together and suggests that they order another bucket of wings - the hot ones, this time. Bring it on, Taylor laughs.

Taylor opens up to Nick.

When the next bucket comes, Nick struggles with the hot and spicy taste, but Taylor's fine. She explains that she developed a taste for spicy stuff in Morocco. Nick comments that he thought she was in a coma there. Taylor admits she was, but there was a time... She doesn't really want to talk about Prince Omar and his obsession with her, although she admits she should be grateful for him keeping her alive and giving her the chance to reunite with her family. She laments that she missed so much of her kids' lives, and now Thomas is in college and Steffy is overseas. She supposes it won't be long until Phoebe moves out and she'll be all alone. She stops and asks if Chuck pout truth serum in these wings, because of the way she's been going on. Nick tells her not to be embarrassed, since he likes her damsel in distress story. Before they could go on, Nick gets a call from Arthur Harrison. Arthur says that he heard Nick was trying to reach him, but he's afraid they won't be able to meet this trip, since his flight home was canceled and he's on his way to the airport to arrange for another one. Nick asks if Arthur can stay until tomorrow, but Arthur says he has to get back tonight for his daughter's recital. Nick thinks he can help with that and tells Arthur to meet him at Santa Monica airport. He then hangs up and tells Taylor he has to go. He offers to call her a cab, but she says her car service will pick her up. She thanks Nick for the fun afternoon.

Phoebe has questions for her mom.

Phoebe arrives home and finds Taylor there. She asks Taylor if she got any of her messages. Taylor says she was busy and asks what's up. Phoebe tells Taylor about her idea for them to take Aly for ice cream, so Taylor could spend time with Aly. She asks Taylor where she was, since she called everywhere looking. Taylor says she spent the afternoon with Nick. Phoebe asks if it was a therapy session, but Taylor says it wasn't. Phoebe is stunned that her mom would spend the afternoon with a man who hates their whole family. Taylor says Nick may be their competitor, but it's not personal. Phoebe doesn't understand, especially after she heard her mom talking to Nick on the phone yesterday at the debut. She doesn't see any reason her mom and Nick should be talking if Nick isn't her patient, so she can't help but wonder if something is going on between her mom and Nick.