Ridge just wants to get home and soak in the hot tub and think about his wife, not Katie or Bill. One little problem says Brooke; her sisters are coming for dinner tonight. They are probably already at her house now. He scoffs that he can't do this. He can not break bread with Katie. Brooke is asking too much of him. Katie realizes right away that Ridge won't be coming home. He did not want to be there with her. Brooke tells her to put all of that aside for now. She just wants it to be the three of them and have fun tonight. Brooke calls Ridge and persuades him to come to dinner as they have plenty of takeout left. Graham meets Hope and shows her the proofs of the photo shoot. Steffy shows up with an attitude about Hope calling the meetings now. She sits down though and says her job as head of PR is to make sure she does her job and makes Hope For The Future a big success. Hope gives the eye to a cute young man on the phone. When Graham leaves, Oliver walks over and tells Steffy and Hope that the camera must love both of them. He explains that he's the new DJ, only temporary, and he was just stopping by to say hello. Ridge parks outside his house, but calls Taylor and tells her it does not feel like his house anymore. The Logan sisters are inside. He needs Taylor to help him to make it stop feeling this way. He feels like he's at the end of the rope. None of this is personal, but he can't go in with Katie in there. He'd like to go in there and strangle her neck. He's not proud of the thoughts he is having. Katie is pushing this dinner tonight to put a bigger wedge between him and Brooke. Taylor tells him he can do one of a couple of things. Going in now would not be good, so maybe he should just leave and go somewhere. He could come there to her house where his mother and kids would be there for him. Brooke tells her sisters that she has faith in her marriage and she does not believe that Ridge will turn to Taylor now. Ridge walks in the door at Taylor's and tells her that her voice is very calming. Now he knows what he has to do. He's made the same mistake over and over and each time says it will be the last time. But deep down this time he knows this is it. This is how it has to be. He loves Brooke, but it's not enough. Brooke can have her sisters. She can have the company. He is done. Taylor tells him that he is putting her in a very bad position and that is not fair. He kisses her and says he understands.
Brooke: Mm. (Chuckles) Ridge: I just want to get home, soak in a hot tub... Brooke: (Sighs) Ridge: Continue on with my beautiful wife what we just ended here. Brooke: (Giggles) Ridge: I don't want to think about Katie or Bill. I want to get them out of my mind-- just concentrate on you. Brooke: (Clears throat) I think maybe we're going to have to delay those plans. Ridge: Why? Brooke: (Sighs) My sisters are coming for dinner. They're probably at the house right now. [SCENE_BREAK] Stephanie: Oh, hi. Was that Whip's, uh, car I just saw drive out? Taylor: Yes. Is that okay with you? Stephanie: Oh, I'm delighted for you, honey. (Chuckles) I want you to meet some nice guy, be with some nice guy that puts you first. My son should've done that. He didn't-- couldn't--'cause of Brooke. Oh, tea. Uh, they're having a rather rough patch of it, actually. Taylor: Oh, yes, and that's all courtesy of Katie, Brooke's own sister, because of their loyalty to each other. You know, the way they pushed Steffy aside so they can bring in yet another Logan-- Hope, her niece. [SCENE_BREAK] Graham: This one. Hope: Thank you. You know, it was really cool of you to set up this meeting. Graham: Are you kidding? Anything for Forrester's, uh, next little star. Hope: You really mean it? You're not just saying that? Graham: Look, the camera doesn't lie. And neither do I. Steffy: So, Hope, you're calling meetings now? [SCENE_BREAK] Brooke: I was hoping to mend some fences with my sisters. Ridge: Starting tonight? At our house? Brooke: I know. (Sighs) I'm sorry. I know the timing's not great. It's just that after everything that happened with the "Dare" line, I thought-- Ridge: I can't do it, Logan. I can't do this. I cannot break bread with Katie and just pretend that everything's fine when it's anything but fine. I-- I can't do this, Logan. Now you're askin' too damn much of me. [SCENE_BREAK] Hope: It's not my meeting. It's Graham's. He's giving me a few pointers. Graham: From the, uh, the test photo shoot. You seen 'em? Steffy: Yes. Yes, I have. Graham: Well, what do you think? Steffy: I think, um, as head of P.R., I have to do everything in my power to make sure "Hope for the Future" is a big success. Graham: Really? Even though you pitched an idea and it got shot down? Steffy: Yeah, these things happen, especially when someone else's aunt is running things. Anyways, um, I need my caffeine fix, so... [SCENE_BREAK] Stephanie: You'd think Bro-- Brooke would learn, but... Taylor: Nope. She never does. First she sided with Rick against Ridge, and-- and then this latest thing of allowing Katie to treat Steffy the way she is-- that's causing problems, and I just don't know how much more a man is supposed to take. [SCENE_BREAK] Ridge: "Forrester Creations, a division of Spencer Publications." [SCENE_BREAK] Donna: Well, I can't imagine what's taking Brooke so long. She was really looking forward to tonight. Katie: I'm sure her husband isn't. Katie: Hey. Brooke: Oh, hi. Sorry I'm late. Donna: Oh, honey. Brooke: You know, I know I said I'd cook, but I stopped by and got Thai food instead so... Donna: Oh, good. Katie: Is Ridge right behind you? Brooke: Uh, no. He's staying at the office. Katie: He doesn't want to have dinner with me. Brooke: (Sighs) I wish things were different, too. But let's just put all that aside and have a good time tonight, just the three of us. And who knows? Maybe he'll change his mind and show up after all. (Chuckles) Katie: (Chuckles) [ Playing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" off-key ] Katie: You are so mistaken, my friend. I didn't not have a crush on that guy. Donna: Oh, my God. You so did. You had his posters plastered all over the bedroom wall, and-- Katie: That is a fabrication. Donna: No, you played his records day and night. Katie: Brooke. Brooke, will you please enlighten her? Brooke, are you okay? Brooke: Hmm? What? Katie: You obviously can't get your mind off your husband. Donna: Honey... Brooke: (Sighs) Donna: Why don't you call him and convince him to join us? Go ahead. Brooke: (Sighs) Hi, sweetheart. Um, you still at the office? Ridge: Are your sisters still at the house? Brooke: Yeah. That's why I'm calling. We got takeout, and we're eating right now, but there's still plenty of food. Katie: We'll save you some dessert. Brooke: (Chuckles) Could you please just try? Ridge? Are you there? Are you coming home? [SCENE_BREAK] Graham: And see? Look. The way you tilt your head in this photo, it's exactly the look that I was going for. But in this one, not so much. You know why? Hope: I'm trying too hard. I'm thinking about the shot instead of just being in the moment and forgetting the camera's there. Graham: You know, for someone so young, you sure catch on quick. I think I'm in love. (Cell phone rings) Graham: (Sighs) Sorry. Hello? Hey. No--oh. You--yeah. No. It's important. Don't--don't let them go. I'll be right there. Okay. Sorry, ladies. Potential new client. Um, you guys, uh, you guys carry on. Steffy: Bye. Hope: So, um, which one of these do you like? Steffy: You know, I kind of like them all. Hope: Really? Steffy: Hope, you're a beautiful girl. The camera obviously loves you. Oliver: I agree. I can't imagine the camera not loving either of you. [SCENE_BREAK] Ridge: (Sighs) What the hell am I doing? This is my home, and I don't even want to go in, because... oh, I can't handle this. I can't go on this way. [SCENE_BREAK] Stephanie: I went to see Brooke. I just thought that I should talk to her. I told her--I-I-I said, "You're--you're on a treacherous slope here. You know, you're choosing your daughter at your own expense, at the expense of your happiness with Ridge." Taylor: Only she doesn't see it that way. Stephanie: No. She thinks she can work miracles. (Telephone rings) Taylor: Oh. (Rings) Taylor: Hello. Ridge: You'll never guess where I am. Taylor: Ridge? Ridge: Sitting in my car in front of my house, only it doesn't really feel like my house because they're inside. Taylor: "They" who? Ridge: The Logan sisters. They're having dinner together. It's not enough for Katie to lord her power over me at the office. Now she's making my life miserable at home, too. I can't take it, Taylor. This has gotta stop. I need you to help me make it stop. [SCENE_BREAK] Steffy: No offense or anything, but was that a come-on line? 'Cause it was kinda-- Oliver: That's what you think I'm doing? Coming on to you? Hope: Were you? Oliver: Hey, two knockouts. Who could blame a guy, right? Of course, that is the way the last deejay here lost his job. Steffy: Which still doesn't explain-- Oliver: My gig's temporary. If I don't bring in the crowds... Hope: (Chuckles) Oliver: That's why I came over to see if maybe you guys could tell your friends to stop by. Hope: Yeah, sure. I mean, if you don't mind a bunch of rowdy high schoolers. Oliver: What's to mind, as long as they're packin' the place and buying java? Steffy: I'm gonna grab a refill. Oliver: Well, I better get back. Hope: Hey, wait. What's your name? Oliver: Uh, Oliver. Hope: Oliver. Oliver Jones. "Entertainment specialist"? Oliver: It sounds more professional than "deejay and karaoke." Hope: Ahh. (Chuckles) Oliver: Keep it. You never know when it might come in handy. Hope: Thanks, "Mr. Entertainment." I'm Hope, by the way. Oliver: See ya, "Hope by the way." [SCENE_BREAK] Brooke: (Sighs) I really thought he might change his mind. Katie: Well, maybe it's better that he didn't. I'm sure I'm the last person he wants to have dinner with tonight. Brooke: We'll get beyond this, Katie. Katie: Can we? (Sighs) I don't know. I mean, Ridge hates that I am married to Bill. He hates that I'm C.E.O. He hates that I am backing my niece's campaign over his daughter's. The list goes on and on. You want to know what I hate? I hate what this is doing to your marriage. Donna: If Ridge could just see it not as family versus family but... (Sighs) I don't know. That's how Eric sees it, too. Brooke: Ridge is trying. I know he is. If Taylor would just stop whispering in his ear about how unfairly Steffy's being treated. (Sighs) I wish she would just stay out of it. Katie: Like that's gonna happen. [SCENE_BREAK] Taylor: He wants to talk to me for a minute. Will you--you know, I forgot to put the tea-- can you--can you get the tea? Stephanie: I'll get it. Don't worry. I'll get it. Taylor: Okay. Ridge: Taylor, are you there? Taylor: Yes. I-I-- I'm not really sure what it is you're asking me to do. Ridge: I just feel like I'm at the end of my rope here. I've never felt so frustrated. If I can't find some way to get past this-- Taylor: Get past what? Ridge: My anger towards Katie, what she's doing to our daughter, everything she and Spencer have done to my family. I can't even go in there because Katie's in there making Brooke believe that none of this is-- none of this is personal, or if it is, it's me who's making it that way. Taylor: No. No, that's not true. I know that. Ridge: Yeah, but does my wife? Brooke keeps saying not to make this about Logans versus Forresters. But if I'm the one that's doing that, then it's her sister who's pitting the families against each other. I'd like to go in there right now and wring Katie's neck. Taylor: Ridge, don't say things like that. You're not a violent man. Ridge: Yeah, well, that's what's scaring me, Doc-- having the kind of thoughts I've been having, trying every way not to let this damage my marriage. What am I supposed to do when I feel so utterly shut out and pushed aside? My family, too. I know I need to find acceptance, but how? Especially now, with the "Hope for the Future" campaign being thrown in my face and Steffy's. Taylor: So do you really feel l-like Katie's just using Hope? Ridge: Yeah, to stick it to me and our daughter. It's just like she's using this dinner tonight to push a bigger wedge between Brooke and me. Taylor: Listen, I... (Sighs) let me just explain something to you that you're probably dealing with right now. It's called conflict theory, and I'm not gonna go into the whole thing right now, but basically what it comes down to is you're in a situation. You feel conflicted, and--and you can either do one of three things. You can fight, or you can flee, or you can freeze. And right now you're feeling very uncomfortable, and it-it--you know, you're sitting there, you're sitting in the-- in the driveway, and you can't move. You don't know what to do. You're freezing. Ridge: So what should I do? Taylor: Well, it doesn't seem like a very good option for you to go in the door right now. I don't think that would be good. So I guess the only other thing you could do would--would be, you know, to flee. Ridge: And go where? The nearest bar? Taylor: (Sighs) No. No, I don't know. You could come here if you want. I mean, your mom's--you know, would be here with you. Your--your kids. We'd all be here for you to-- to get you through it or just leave you alone, let you have some peace if that's what you want. Anything. You know, whatever you need, we would do that for you to--to help you. We're here for you. [SCENE_BREAK] Donna: So you think Taylor's purposely fanning the flames? Making it your daughter against her daughter? Brooke: No, I don't think she's doing that purposely. I-I just think she's really trying to protect Steffy, and as a mother, I understand that. I just wish she would stop running to ridge all the time. Katie: You don't think that Taylor and Ridge are... (Sighs) Brooke: No. No, I have faith in my husband and faith in my marriage. And all couples have challenges. Donna: Yeah, but not as much as you and Ridge have faced over the decades. Brooke: Exactly my point. Ridge and I have been through so much through the years. And we've come through it stronger. Katie: Does it bug you knowing that Taylor is waiting in the wings? Brooke: No. I-I know Ridge has run to her before in the past, but I-I don't think that'll happen. He knows how much I love him, and he knows that I'm here for him. He's not gonna turn to Taylor for help. Not now. [SCENE_BREAK] (Front door closes) Ridge: Thank you. Taylor: For what? Ridge: For so much that I don't really know where to start. But mostly, for being on the other end of the phone tonight. Taylor: Well, I almost wasn't. Whip and I had a date, but, you know, we ended it early. Ridge: Sorry you did. Taylor: Sorry I ended the date? Ridge: I'm sorry it's taken me this long to make the decision I have. Taylor: I have no idea what you're saying. Ridge: I'm finally seeing things clearly. Taylor: I'm a little confused, because 20 minutes ago, you were on the phone with me telling me that things were basically a disaster. Ridge: Yeah, I know. But just hearing your voice-- you have a very calming presence in my life, Taylor. Taylor: Well, you sounded very exasperated. You sounded anything but calm. Ridge: Because I was fighting what I knew I had to do. I made a mistake, Doc. The same mistake I've been making over and over for years. Every time Brooke and I would find our way back to each other, I'd tell myself, "This time will be different. This time we won't end up where we always have before." But that's where we're headed and why I didn't want to go in that house tonight. It wasn't just Katie. It's because I knew-- I know, deep down, this is it. This is how it has to be. Taylor: This is how what has to be? You love Brooke. Ridge: Not enough. It isn't enough. I always believed it was, but it isn't, not anymore. And after tonight, Brooke can have her sisters. Ridge: They can run the company. Everything I have is hers anyway. That's why I'm leaving. That's why I have to leave, Doc. I am done. Taylor: No, no, no. No, you're not done, because the fact that you just said that tells me that you're not done. Ridge, I'm--I'm trying to be here for you, but you can't just come over here and tell me that your marriage is over again. You can't expect me just-- (Sighs) you're putting me in a really bad position, Ridge. You do this to me, and it-- it really-- it really upsets me. I don't know if you understand that it does that to me. I mean, really. When you--you come over here and you say this to me, and--and you call me "Doc," do you know what that does to me? Do you have any idea how that just-- it just pulls at my heart. I mean, it reminds me of when I was your wife and that we were lovers and we had a commitment. And I don't-- I don't even want you to use a word like that with me if you--if you don't mean it. You have to understand that I don't-- I can't have you do that. Ridge: But I do understand. I very much understand... Doc.