Katie tells Brooke that she tried to have a Happy Valentine's Day. She and Bill did not discuss Hope and Liam not getting married. Brooke says Hope was so embarrassed at not getting married that she and Liam took off this morning to drive along the coast and just get away. Katie says Hope can not decide what she wants if she is always looking over her shoulder on the run. Katie says maybe she can talk to her since she has had plenty of roadblocks and she and Bill are trying to work it out. Brooke accepts that since she can not say too much without it sounding like she is putting down Steffy. Ridge won't like that. Ridge invites Steffy into his office and asks how she is. She says she knows she never wants chocolate fondue in her hair again. He says he loves her, he understands her and he knows there will be other men in her life. He just does not want it to be Bill. She assures him it won't be. Ridge thinks he is waiting on Eric so they can start a meeting. He tells Rick they can only support two designers so one has to go and it isn't going to be him. Rick says he won't help Ridge push his father into an early retirement. His suggestion is that Ridge and Eric team together on the couture line and he will work with Steffy on the Intimate line. She nixes it until he says he has worked with people that didn't like him before. And he has seen her in her underwear before, remember? There shouldn't be a problem. Ridge tells Steffy that he knows she thinks it is totally impossible, but she will love again and be happy. He doesn't want her to turn that down. Rick muses to Katie that he and Steffy were hot and heavy one time, even engaged, and now they will be working closely together, so who knows what could happen. This needs to be their secret and Katie must not tell Brooke. She says she does not think he is crazy. Sometimes it helps to fight fire with fire; she'd like to know how she can. Steffy barges in and tells Rick that as of today, she is his boss and she is putting him on notice. He says he did not think of it that way, but she knows how he works so they need to get down to business.
Brooke: Hope's wedding gown is ruined. (Sighs) Katie: What did Taylor want with all that chocolate? Brooke: Not that the gown is even the point. Katie: I mean, what was she gonna do with it? Bathe in it with Thorne? Brooke: (Chuckles) Well, I think that was his plan. (Laughs) Katie: (Laughs) Brooke: It was a Valentine's gift from Thorne. Katie: Did you and Ridge get a chance to celebrate? Brooke: We found a way. Katie: Bill and I, too. Brooke: (Chuckles) Good. Glad to hear. I bet Bill was happy... (Sighs) To find out that Liam and Hope didn't get married. Katie: We didn't discuss it. Brooke: Do you think they were wrong asking for an annulment? Katie: (Sighs) There were grounds for an annulment. I mean, I don't think they were unreasonable to ask for one. I just think they might have been a little unreasonable to think that Steffy was gonna go along with it. [SCENE_BREAK] Ridge: Come in. Steffy: I thought you wanted me for a meeting. Ridge: I do. The rest of the meeting's not here yet. How are you? Steffy: Well, I can tell you I never want chocolate fondue in my hair again, but other than that, I'm fine. Do you have to keep asking me that? Ridge: I'm your father. Overkill is my prerogative. Steffy: Mm. So, what, did you have to sleep on the sofa last night, huh? Ridge: Valentine's Day? No way. Steffy: (Scoffs) Ridge: Brooke and I are not quarreling, if that's what you're suggesting. Steffy: Yeah, but you can't be talking about that much, you know, like the annulment I refused to be steamrolled into. Ridge: Steffy... Steffy: Mm-hmm? Ridge: I love you. I will always support you. (Coffee cup clinks) Ridge: I understand you're entering into a new chapter in your life. There'll be new opportunities, new people of importance, new men. Please, I beg you, anyone but Bill. Steffy: Dad, no, you--you don't have to worry about that at all. Ridge: Anybody but him. Rick: Who? Steffy: You. Rick: Why? Steffy: Been there, done that, that's why. Ridge: Never mind. [SCENE_BREAK] Brooke: They took off this morning in the car. Katie: For where? Brooke: Up the coast. That's all that Hope said. I think that she was so embarrassed that the wedding didn't happen that she and Liam just needed to get away for a few hours. Katie: You know, I hate to say it, but I have to question the wisdom of Hope's press conference. Brooke: I know. I could have said something. She was just so happy. Katie: Yeah, I mean, I get it. I know that she wanted all those people who read the tabloid articles about her being left high and dry to know that there was a happy ending. But she had to realize that that was the only motivation Steffy needed to make sure that it didn't happen. Brooke: You know that spite is Steffy's best event. Katie: That, and making a grab for men who feel neglected by their women. You know that Steffy doesn't think that Liam's gonna be able to make it through six more months of premarital abstinence. Brooke: Yes, of course. That's the whole point! Could she be more obvious? Katie: (Sighs) [SCENE_BREAK] Ridge: Where is Dad, anyway? Rick: He said he was busy. Ridge: He can't get the hang of being an employee, can he? Rick: All right, he--he said he needed 24 hours' notice before he can clear his calendar. Ridge: Then I guess he'll have to live with the decision we make in here today. Steffy: Okay, wait, um, is this really a meeting, or are we just waiting for Hope? Rick: She's not coming in today. I wonder why. Steffy: Oh, give it a rest. We all can't slip in and out of wedlock as fast as your mom. Look at all the practice she's had. Ridge: Oh, stop. Enough here. The problem we're having isn't taking the day off, and I want it fixed-- namely, the three designers we have working on the couture line is one too many. It's hard enough getting us all in the same room, never mind on the same page. So... one of us has to go, and it's not gonna be me. Rick: Oh, I see. You want me to sell Dad down the river because he isn't here? [SCENE_BREAK] Katie: Hope can't let herself be controlled by fear, either-- uh, fear of what other people might say or think, fear of commitment, of loss, of scandal, whatever. She's never gonna be able to figure out what she wants if she's constantly emotionally on the run. Brooke: I'm just not sure I can give her that message. Anything I say that remotely sounds like I'm compromising her values, it raises a red flag for her and says, "Consider the source." Katie: Well, then I'll talk to her. I mean, I don't have a road map for marital bliss, but I am living with Bill again. We're working things out. (Sighs) If anyone can talk to her about compromise, it's me. (Chuckles) But really, it-- it's not about what they do or what they don't do. It's about self-determination. It's about taking control of what you want in life, and Hope needs to realize that. She has been subjected to too many other people's agendas. Brooke: Thank you. You saw how Ridge was yesterday. I mean, naturally, he wants to support his daughter, especially now, but I have to really be careful what I say, 'cause anything I say could look a-- could look like a put-down to Steffy. Katie: Yeah. Brooke: (Sighs) I don't want this to create a problem in my marriage. [SCENE_BREAK] Ridge: Look, Rick, I promised to give some of your designs a chance, and I'm doing that. Rick: And they're selling. Ridge: It's a different vision than what I want for couture. Rick: Yeah, but shouldn't we let the sales determine the direction? Ridge: Not necessarily. Your concept's kind of experimental. I just don't want it clouding our image. Rick: It... (Sighs) But if it sells, uh-- Ridge: Look, you may have caught a trend. Forrester couture has always been classic. Steffy: So how about networking your laptops? You can, you know, exchange all your great ideas. Ridge: You think your granddad and I design on laptops? Rick: No, you know, I'm not gonna help you push my father into an early retirement. Ridge: Nobody's talking about that, Rick. The point is we have several lines that need more attention-- the men's line, for example. Rick: Dad has been designing women's clothes his entire life. Ridge: Then there's Hope for the Future, the Intimates line. Steffy: Wait, wait, wait. No, no, now let's just think about this for a second. I always get worried, you know, when Granddad's around the models in lingerie. I do! Rick: All right, will you just let Dad be? Look, I-I-I realize that you're the-- the great and powerful wizard here, but Eric Forrester has always been behind the couture line. You need his input, Ridge. Ridge: Well, thank you for another of your always-interesting opinions. Rick: Just let me finish. Just as he needs you-- you two are a team. That should not be messed with. Ridge: So you'll give your sister a hand with, uh, Hope for the Future? Rick: Yeah, you and Dad seem to give Hope all the help that she needs. No, I-I'll, uh, I'll throw in with Steffy on the Intimates line. Steffy: Wait, are you serious? Rick: Yeah. Ridge: Well, this is not the resolution I expected, but it works for me. Steffy: Wait, um, you know, you and-- you and I don't-- we don't really get along. Rick: (Chuckles) Steffy: Or did you forget that? Rick: I'm used to, uh, working with people who don't like me very much. You should be, too, by now. Steffy: (Chuckles) Rick: Problem solved? Ridge: Pretty much. Steffy: Because it just became my problem. Rick: We'll be fine. I've seen you in your underwear before. Remember? [SCENE_BREAK] Rick: Hey. Katie. Katie: Hey. I stopped by to see Brooke, and I was just leaving a note for Hope. Rick: Oh, I can't tell you whether or not she's gonna be in today. Katie: Oh, but if she is, you'll see her before I do. Rick: Maybe not. I've got new job description. I'm presently working on what used to be Brooke's bedroom line with Steffy. Katie: Was that Ridge's idea? Rick: No, no. I volunteered. Katie: That can't be very comfortable for you. I mean, I'm sure you don't like what Steffy did to Hope any more than I do. Rick: You're damn right I don't. Hope deserves better. I'm gonna see to it that she gets it. [SCENE_BREAK] Steffy: Am I being punished for having to work with Rick? Ridge: Hey, better you than me. His first few designs were working, so I gave him a chance. Steffy: (Sighs) Ridge: But he's just impossible. I don't know. I just can't say a word to him. I don't want that kind of stress in my life. Steffy: Oh, okay. So if he's gonna get on someone's nerves, it might as well be mine. Ridge: Hey, you don't have to live with his mother. Steffy: You don't, either. (Groans) Okay, fine. Fine! My life is already in the toilet, so how about one more total fiasco? Ridge: Come on. You don't really think that. Steffy: No. But signing divorce papers is hard. Ridge: I'm sorry. Steffy: They all just think I'm being spiteful because I just said "No" to an annulment. Ridge: That was your decision to make. Steffy: So, what, I'm supposed to be okay with people thinking that my marriage was a fraud? Look, I admit there have been instances where people have called my marriage a fraud, but I told Liam the truth, and he forgave me... at least I thought he did. Ridge: You're not a spiteful person, Steffy, but I don't think you can say that holding onto Liam for a few more months didn't figure in your thinking. Steffy: Was it wrong? Ridge: It's not a matter of right or wrong or how you or I or anyone handles a broken heart. One of the things I'd like to see you doing... Steffy: (Sighs) Ridge: Is leaving the door open. Steffy: Dad, come-- what door? Ridge: The one that leads forward. The one that leads to more opportunities. Steffy: No, but I don't want anybody but Liam. Ridge: I know you're feeling that now. Steffy: No, Dad, please, don't. Don't. The one thing that hurts more than knowing that I'm not gonna get Liam back... (Sighs) Is the thought about actually giving him up. Ridge: I understand. But that's today. It's today, Sweetheart. Steffy: Dad. (Sighs) (Sniffles) Dad, don't tell me that I'm not gonna care about him someday, because I will. Ridge: The one thing I do know... Steffy: (Sniffles) Ridge: That I want you to believe is that you're going to be happy, even if you can't imagine it right now, even if it just seems completely and totally impossible. Steffy: Okay. Ridge: And, my dear, when this happiness comes, promise me something. Steffy: (Sighs) Ridge: Promise me something? Steffy: Yes. Yes. Ridge: You're not gonna turn it away. [SCENE_BREAK] Katie: You sound serious. Rick: I am. You know, I wasn't-- isn't around much when Hope was growing up. She'd send me these--these-- these beautiful cards with her--her pictures in them, and I'd hang them around my office at International. Katie: (Chuckles) Rick: I don't know. The--the bottom line is I wasn't much of a big brother to her then. Katie: I don't think she sees it that way at all. Rick: Because that's who she is. And she was never, you know, a kid that wanted more. She--she--she was grateful for everything, you know, that she got and any attention you gave her and her family and her friends and even the postcards I'd send from Paris. I hardly ever heard her complain or feel sorry for herself or even wish for anything that she didn't have until Liam. They belong together. And Steffy knew that. Instead of Steffy getting what she wanted, namely breaking up my mother and Ridge, she focused all that hatred onto Hope, and that's not right. Katie: No, it's not. But karma's a bitch, and it's finally catching up to her. Rick: No, it hasn't, not yet. She's found another way to keep Hope and Liam apart for another six months, or so she thinks. Katie: (Sighs) Well, I'm gonna talk to Hope about that, but really, it's Steffy's decision. I don't know that there's anything we can do about it. Or is there? Rick: You know, uh, Steffy and I, uh... how do I put it? The--we were hot and heavy at one point. Katie: Yeah, I remember. You were engaged. Rick: Yeah, I guess I wasn't, uh, serious enough for her back then. Katie: I think it might have been something else. Rick: All right, fair enough. But we grow up. We get wiser and older. And she's bound to notice and appreciate that since we'll be working, uh, so closely together. Katie: Rick. Rick: You can't tell my mom about this. We're talking about Ridge's daughter here. Katie: Yeah, sure. I understand. Rick: And-- and you know Steffy. She's--she's so vulnerable right now... Katie: Mm. Rick: And she needs a friend, you know, somebody who can understand her. And once she realizes that we can have a second chance, she's gonna sign those annulment papers, and Hope and Liam are gonna have the life that they planned. [SCENE_BREAK] Steffy: I'm still mad at you. Ridge: No, you're not. Steffy: I should be, sticking me with Rick. Ridge: Maybe you'll remember one or two things that you liked about him, and if you do remember them, write them down for me, so I can know what they are. Steffy: Oh, okay. Dad, um, you hated my involvement with Rick. Ridge: I did, but that was personal. Steffy: Mm-hmm. Ridge: He wasn't being genuine. This is business. Steffy: Gosh. You know, you ruined me for ordinary guys. No one can measure up to you. Ridge: I'm really sorry you've had to suffer though the curse of my madness... Steffy: Yeah. Ridge: Or was it wonderfulness? Steffy: Oh, wow. Ridge: Mm. Steffy: Mm. (Laughs) Brooke: Hello, Steffy. Steffy: You know, I don't--I don't want to hear anything about lawyers or being reasonable. Brooke: All I said was "Hello." Steffy: Because I-I think I'm being very reasonable. No one just seems to give me credit for it. Brooke: Uh... (Sighs) Ridge: It's kind of hard to pretend the day after a disaster is an ordinary day. Brooke: Well, I... (Sighs) don't really understand why it was a disaster for Steffy, when she got everything she wanted. Ridge: Logan, she signed the divorce papers. We had a good heart-to-heart. Brooke: (Sighs) Ridge: I asked her to please keep an open mind about what the future holds for her. Brooke: Other than Liam? Ridge: Other than Liam. Brooke: You are a good father. So how did she take it? Ridge: Oh, when has she ever not listened to me? Brooke: (Sighs) [SCENE_BREAK] Rick: You think I'm crazy. Katie: No. Rick: Evil? Katie: Sometimes it's good to fight fire with fire. Rick: An egomaniac then. Why would Steffy fall for me and make the same mistake twice? Katie: It's what she does best. I just have one question. Rick: So ask. Katie: How can I help? (Door opens) Steffy: Oh, joy. My other favorite Logan sister. Katie: Hmm. Rick: You know, if you would have knocked, I would have told you I was busy, spared you. Steffy: Okay, let's get a few things straight. As of this morning, I'm your boss. Rick: (Laughs) That's not how I heard it. Steffy: That's why I'm telling you now so there's no confusion. If you're gonna be on my line, you're gonna have to answer to me and measure up to my standards, or you can work with Hope or the men's line. Rick: Well, we have a decent professional relationship. Steffy: Mm-hmm. Rick: You know I'm obnoxious. I know that you don't listen. You know I miss deadlines. And I know that you think you're always right. We're pretty much onto each other here so... Steffy: Hmm. Good. You know where you stand. My line is very important to me, so I don't need any unnecessary drama or complications. Let's get this work done. Rick: Agreed. We've both got big huge goals-- a lot to accomplish, so, uh... (Sighs) Let's get down to business.