Friday, June 29, 2007, Episode #5092

Bridget tells Rick that the confusion over Taylor's IVF is settled.

At Bridget's beach house, she and Rick share some ice cream as they chat about their lives. Bridget tells Rick that Taylor can't be carrying their mom's eggs, so neither their mom nor Taylor has anything to worry about. She then asks Rick how things are with Phoebe. Rick replies that Phoebe forgave him for his fling with another woman, but now he has to worry about Constantine's attempts to make Phoebe over. Bridget asks if Phoebe knows that the "other woman" was Ashley. When Rick explains that Phoebe didn't want to know, Bridget thinks that's good, since it could complicate things at work if Phoebe knew that the woman was Ashley. And speaking of Ashley, Bridget asks Rick how things are with her. Rick concedes that Ashley's mature and has it together, although he hopes Ashley could still be honest with him, since he thinks he'd be with Ashley now if he wasn't with Phoebe. That's why has has to admit that it would bother him to see Ashley with another guy, although he wonders if there's a guy out there who is worthy of Ashley. Given that remark, Bridget bets Rick was bothered to see Constantine at the pool party. Rick admits that he was sorry to see Constantine there, and he's even sorrier to see Constantine tell Phoebe that she has to change to be a star.

Rick is alarmed when Bridget says that their mom wants to go back to Ridge.

Bridget asks Rick about the makeover Constantine gave Phoebe. Rick asserts that he prefers the "old" Phoebe, since her natural look fit the image that Forrester Originals wants for their new fragrance. He laments that when he saw the way Constantine made Phoebe over, she had more makeup on her face than clothes on her body. Bridget asks if it was sexy. Rick states that Phoebe's beauty and talent speak for themselves, so she doesn't need to be packaged like some pop diva. Bridget reminds him that Constantine is a professional, but Rick thinks Constantine is using Phoebe. Bridget thinks he sounds like he's jealous, but Rick says he isn't. He just doesn't like how this is going, especially since music brought him and Phoebe together. That last thought gives him an idea; he suggests that singing together with Phoebe might bring them together again. Bridget hopes it works out for him, and since it sounds like he has his love life straightened out, she suggests he straighten their mom's out while he's at it. Rick thinks their mom needs to focus on something other than love, but Bridget doubts that will happen given their mom's plans to get Ridge back. Rick is alarmed that their mom wants to go back to Ridge yet again.

Brooke won't let Stephanie take R.J.

At Brooke's house, Stephanie expounds on her hope that Ridge will finally listen to her and realize that there are many wonderful women in the world who can make him happy, including Ashley Abbott. Brooke states that Ashley is Stephanie's fantasy, not Ridges, but Stephanie boasts that fantasies sometimes come true. Brooke asks Stephanie to leave her home, but Stephanie first wants to warn Brooke that Ridge isn't coming back to her after what Brooke did to him. Brooke insists that Ridge has forgiven her, but Stephanie thinks Ridge is forgiving her since he doesn't plan on giving her anything else, and he thinks the fact that Ridge is out with Ashley tonight proves that. Stephanie then goes to get R.J., but Brooke insists that Ridge will have to come himself if he wants to see his son. Stephanie tells Brooke to stop being absurd, since Ridge asked her to get R.J., but Brooke doesn't care; she insists that Ridge has to come here to see their son.

Ashley tells Ridge how she feels.

At Ashley's beach house. Ridge asks her not to leave L.A. Ashley admits that she's attracted to him, but she worries about his complicated history with Brooke and his mother's agenda in keeping him and Brooke apart, especially since Brooke wants him back. Ridge says that Brooke may not get him back, but Ashley points out that history says otherwise. Ridge states that he'll always care for Brooke, but while they can forgive each other for what's happened between them, they can't undo it. Ashley sympathizes with him, but she also admits to surprisingly being a bit unnerved by him. Ridge admits he was a bit nervous about her, too, which is why he hopes she'll stay in L.A. Ashley asks how strong his feelings are. Ridge suggests she stay around to help him find out. Since they're both looking for something new, he suggests they find it together. Just then, Ridge's cell phone rings, but he ignores it when he sees it's Brooke. Ashley suggests he answer it, since Brooke could be calling about R.J., but Ridge says, "R.J. is with my mom, and I'm here with you." After dinner, he thanks her for the home cooked meal and the company but thinks he should be going. Ashley says he can stay, but he wants to tuck R.J. in, since that's the highlight of his day. "This dinner was a close second," he adds, asking if they can do it again. Ashley says they can. Kissing her goodnight, Ridge asks if that means she's staying in L.A. Ashley says she's considering it as she bids him, "Au revoir."

Unable to reach Ridge, Brooke leaves him a message. Stephanie brags that she knew Ridge wouldn't answer, cautioning Brooke to take the snub as a sign that Ridge is ignoring her. Brooke reminds Stephanie that she was calling about R.J. Stephanie berates Brooke for pathetically using a child to get to Ridge and again asks Brooke for R.J., so Ridge can pick his son up at the mansion after his date with Ashley. Brooke insists that R.J. stay here until Ridge comes to get the boy himself. Stephanie warns that Ridge won't like that. Brooke is sure he won't once Stephanie puts her spin on it, but she's sure she can explain things to Ridge when he gets here. If he gets here, Stephanie advises, pointing out that Ridge's date with Ashley might run late. Brooke can't believe that Stephanie is so heartless that she'd rather see Ridge spend time with a woman he barely knows than with his son. "He'll spend time with R.J. He just won't spend time with you ever again," Stephanie retorts as she leaves.

Eric is surprised by Stephanie's news.

When Stephanie gets home, Eric is surprised that she doesn't have R.J. with her. Stephanie tells him about Brooke's refusal to let her take R.J., ranting about how Brooke was using that child to lure Ridge into another of her seductive traps. She suggests that Eric call Brooke and go get the boy, but Eric wants to call Ridge and let him know, since R.J. will be fine at Brooke's until Ridge gets there. Stephanie disagrees, since she thinks R.J. would be safer with a pack of wolves than with a mother who slept with both her daughter's husbands. Before Eric can respond, Ridge comes in. Stephanie asks how the evening went. Ridge says it was lovely and wants to go see R.J. Stephanie tells him how Brooke wouldn't let her take his son, accusing Brooke of using the boy to get Ridge into bed. Eric says that last part was uncalled for, but Stephanie insists that Brooke will do anything to get Ridge back. Ridge wants to go over to Brooke's to settle this right now. Stephanie protests that he'll be doing just what Brooke wants if he goes and reminds him how Brooke left him at the altar to go running into Nick's bed, but Ridge leaves anyway.

Stephanie warns Ashley about what Brooke is up to.

Stephanie makes a beeline for Ashley's house. Ashley asks La Forrester she's there; Stephanie responds that Ridge told her about the wonderful dinner he had here, which is why she had to rush over to warn Ashley about what Brooke's up to. She fills Ashley in on the night's events, accusing Brooke of using R.J. to lure Ridge over. "This is exactly why I didn't want to get stuck in the middle of Ridge and Brooke!" Ashley exclaims, asserting that it will be over for her and Ridge if Ridge sleeps with Brooke. "He likes you," Stephanie states, advising Ashley not to be so hasty. Ashley says that she cares about Ridge, too, because they're good together. But Ashley fears that history is repeating itself if Ridge ran back to Brooke after the wonderful night he had here, and she wants no part of that.