Thursday, June 28, 2007, Episode #5091

Bridget has a chat with her mother.

Bridget drops by Brooke's house to chat. While trying to offer her daughter something to eat, Brooke notes how much more relaxed Bridget seems today. Bridget covers that she was stressed over a problem at the hospital that turned out to be just a false alarm. Brooke is glad Bridget's crisis is over; she just wishes she could say the same about her own conflict with Stephanie, who is trying to push Ridge toward Ashley. When Bridget comments that R.J. will be glad to see his dad tonight, Brooke laments that none of her children grew up with their fathers, which is why she wants R.J. to have his father in his life. On top of that, she and Ridge still love each other. Bridget points out that Brooke still loves Nick, too, even though Nick's future is with Taylor, so she wonders if Brooke's future has to be with Ridge. Brooke admits that she's gone back and forth so many times, especially after Sydney. She guesses that having Rick's blood on her hands as Rick lied on the floor next to her made her reject Ridge and run to Nick, even though Nick was committed to Taylor. But even though Stephanie once called her "Hurricane Brooke" because of the ways she tore apart Stephanie's family, Brooke just wants to do the right thing this time. Even though she couldn't give Nick the child he wanted, she already has a child with Ridge, so she truly believes that she, Ridge and R.J. can be a family again.

Stephanie pleads for Ashley to save Ridge.

At Ashley's beach house, Stephanie pleads for Ashley to save Ridge, since she knows Ashley is interested. Ashley is flattered, but she wonders if Ridge really wants to be saved, especially because of what she knows of Ridge and Brooke's history. After being caught in the middle of two people meant to be together before, she doesn't want any part of that. Stephanie argues that Ridge took Brooke back into the company, but not into his heart. And since she knows Ashley is attracted to Ridge... Ashley stops Stephanie right there, again mentioning the history between Ridge and Brooke. Stephanie concedes that Brooke and Ridge share a child, but she doesn't think that's enough to hold Brooke and Ridge together. At the same time, she knows Ashley and Ridge click. Ashley admits that she and Ridge did click before he got arrested, but she points out that she left Genoa City to get away from her own family's in-fighting, so she has no intention of getting in the middle of the Forresters' fights. In addition, she has to think about her daughter Abby, who will be traveling a lot to see her father Brad. Between that and the fact that the "Phoebe" fragrance is up and running now, Ashley thinks it might be time for her to head home to Genoa City. Stephanie is sorry to hear that and asks Ashley to reconsider, since she thinks Ashley will find life in L.A. a lot more fulfilling than what Ash had back home. "It would be a big mistake if you left here without at least trying to find it," Stephanie argues.

Felicia urges Ridge to call Ashley.

At Forrester Originals, Ridge works with a pair of models who invite him out to celebrate his release from jail at a new club on Sunset. Ridge is tempted by the offer, but he has to decline, as he's supposed to spend time with his son tonight. Felicia comes in and is glad to see her big brother back in the game, even though he declined the models' offer. She's actually glad he turned the models down, since she thinks she knows someone else who'd like to spend time with him - someone named Ashley! Ridge remarks that Ashley's not a game player, but Felicia argues that Ashley is just being guarded. However, she knows for a fact that Ashley is interested, so she strongly suggests that Ridge give Ashley a chance instead of Brooke. Ridge concedes that he's working with Brooke, who's the mother of his youngest child, but he doesn't think that means he's pursuing anything with Brooke. Then forget about the familiar bond with Brooke and give Ashley a spin! Felicia suggests, pointing out that Ashley is one hot mama. Ridge agrees with that sentiment. Felicia adds that she sees qualities from Brooke, Caroline and Taylor, who were all connected to Ridge, in Ashley. "If you like her so much, why don't you date her yourself?" Ridge quips, wondering why his sister is so caught up in his love life. "Call Ashley. You know you want to," Felicia instructs, handing Ridge the phone.

Ashley invites Ridge over for dinner.

Persuaded by his sister, Ridge calls Ashley and invites her to dinner. Ashley tells him that she was planning on staying in since Abby's away with her dad, so she suggests he come over to her place instead. Knowing that Ridge has plans with R.J., Stephanie offers to pick the boy up. Ashley tells Ridge that his mom will pick up R.J. Unfazed that his mother is there with Ashley, Ridge accepts the invitation and asks what he should pick up for dinner. Ashley offers to take care of dinner, so Ridge says he'll see her soon. As Ridge hangs up, he tells a pleased Felicia that he'll be seeing Ashley. Back at the beach house, Ashley reminds Stephanie that she and Ridge will just be having dinner together. "At least he won't be wasting another evening with Brooke," Stephanie retorts. Ashley admits that she couldn't say no to Ridge, even if she tried. Stephanie thinks Ashley and Ridge will be good together and remarks, "Risky business, happiness. Sometimes it's closer than you know."

Brooke fumes when Stephanie shows up to pick up R.J.

Knowing that Ridge will be there soon to pick up R.J., Bridget tells Brooke that she'll get going. Before Bridget goes, Brooke asks her daughter how she would have felt if she'd been able to to grow up with both parents. Bridget admits that she doesn't know, since it never worked out that way for her and Rick. But if it could work out for Hope and R.J., Bridget has no issues. Even though she gave up her marriage for her mom to be with Nick, Bridget recognizes that Nick is with Taylor now and has a baby on the way. So if her mom wants to be with Ridge, she has no objections. Brooke remarks on how funny it is that she thinks of things in terms of fate, while Bridget tends to think in terms of reason. Bridget counters that fate is fickle. Brooke thinks Ridge sees her as fickle and erratic, which is why she has to change that by making Ridge trust that the two of them and R.J. can be a family. Just then, the doorbell rings, so Bridget offers to go out the back way and wishes her mom luck. Brooke answers the door, expecting Ridge, so she's surprised to find Stephanie there. Stephanie says that she's here to pick up R.J. for Ridge; when Brooke asks where Ridge is, Stephanie is evasive, so Brooke wants to call Ridge. Stephanie tells Brooke not to bother. "He's out with Ashley, isn't he?" Brooke guesses. Stephanie tells Brooke to stop this nonsense and let her leave with R.J., but Brooke refuses. Stephanie can't believe that Brooke has the nerve to be upset about Ridge dating given what Brooke did to Ridge. "You can't have Nick, so now you want Ridge, but that's not going to work," Stephanie fumes, She insists that no matter what Brooke does, Ridge is smart enough to know when he's being offered scraps.