At Forrester Creations, Donna talked with Jackie and Nick about the article on Phoebe and Rick and wondered if they were romantically involved. Jackie confirmed that they were and added that all was not paradise with Brooke and Ridge, since Brooke supported the relationship while Ridge rejected it. Nick thought it had never been paradise for them and was annoyed that Ridge was using his wedding as a marketing gimmick.
When they were alone, Jackie urged Nick to rescue Brooke, but Nick argued that he had found something special with Taylor that he didn't want to jeopardize. Jackie maintained that nothing he could have with Taylor would ever compare to what he'd had with Brooke. Although Nick finally admitted that it killed him that the wedding was happening, he added that he and Brooke were over, and Jackie needed to let it go. Later, Nick stared at pictures of Brooke and Hope and sulked about losing them.
At Forrester Originals, Ridge told Phoebe that Rick was way too old for her, and their relationship was inappropriate. Phoebe tried to persuade her father otherwise, to no avail. She told him that he was in serious trouble if Rick fell out of love with her one day, before she was old enough to date him. Trying to reassure her, Ridge told Phoebe she had nothing to worry about because no woman in the world could ever compete with her, and he hugged her.
In Rick's office, Ashley flirted with Rick and reminisced about their Paris affair. Sensing Rick's awkwardness, Ashley offered to back out of working with Forrester if it made him uncomfortable. Rick told her she was the best, and he was thrilled Brooke had called her to aid with the fragrance line. When she asked him if there was anyone significant in his life, he admitted that there was but confessed that a lot of people thought the relationship was a bad idea. Ashley told him she was happy for him and that what had happened in Paris could stay in Paris. Rick appreciated Ashley's mature attitude.
In the boardroom, Ridge told Eric and Stephanie that once the wedding happened, Nick's short reign in fashion would be over. Stephanie fretted over Rick and Phoebe, but Ridge assured her that wouldn't be a problem. Brooke walked in and ordered everyone to keep the Rick and Phoebe situation under wraps unless they wanted to risk losing Ashley's help.
Phoebe arrived, followed by Rick and Ashley. When Rick told everyone that he and Ashley had first met in Paris, Phoebe grew a little suspicious of their relationship. After Ashley impressed the Forresters with some of her latest fragrance samples, they were eager to hire her on and offer her a job.
When everyone else had left, Ridge and Brooke kissed. Brooke told Ridge she couldn't leave Los Angeles on her business trip until he promised to cool it with Rick and Phoebe. Ridge promised that he would stay calm as long as Rick stayed away from his daughter. Not satisfied with that, Brooke warned Ridge that if he ever laid a hand on Rick again, he would lose her forever. Jackie eavesdropped outside and got an idea after hearing Brooke's ultimatum.
Meanwhile, in Rick's office, Ashley dropped in and asked Rick one more time if he was sure he was okay with her working there. Rick told her it wouldn't be a problem. Thinking he was alone, Phoebe burst and told him what a sexy businessman he was. After she awkwardly left, Ashley realized that Phoebe was Rick's complicated involvement and told him she hoped that it worked out for him. Rick told her they were going to play it cool for a while until Ridge could accept it.
At home, Ridge tried to convince Phoebe to go out with her friends. Phoebe indicated that she was not interested in seeing her friends. Phoebe told Ridge it was Rick that she was interested in. Phoebe told Ridge that she was going out to Insomnia to hopefully find someone who would listen to her, because Ridge would not.
Stephanie questioned Ridge about Rick and Phoebe. Ridge declared that Rick and Phoebe's relationship was finally over. Stephanie was not as adamant as Ridge. Stephanie advised that Ridge had believed their relationship was over in the past, yet they were still together.
At the Insomnia Café, Donna and Jackie were unhappy to see Stephanie arrive. Uninvited, Stephanie went to Jackie and Donna's table to talk to them. Stephanie hinted to Jackie that Brooke could return to Nick if she had to choose between Rick and Ridge. Donna and Jackie later decided that they should make a Nick and Brooke reunification happen.
When Phoebe entered Insomnia, Donna took the opportunity to go over and speak with Phoebe. Donna advised Phoebe if it was Rick that she wanted, then it was Rick that she should have. Donna told Phoebe to pursue Rick. Donna explained that she might never find true love in her life ever again.
At Nick's, his evening of romancing Taylor was disrupted when Jackie showed up with Hope. Though she was disappointed, Taylor left so Nick could spend some quality time with his favorite little girl. Hope told him that Brooke was in Australia, and Nick showed her where that was on the globe. Jackie happily watched as the two bonded.
When Nick and Jackie were alone, Nick scolded her for showing up unannounced with Hope. He admitted that being around Hope made him realize how much he missed her. Jackie didn't understand why Nick was getting involved with Taylor when he would be so much happier with Brooke. She believed the Phoebe/Rick situation could split Brooke and Ridge up for good and urged Nick to pursue Brooke. Tired of the drama, Nick told his mother once more to leave it alone.
At the Café Russe, Rick and Ashley reminisced about Rick serenading her. He told her he was not getting to sing as much as he liked anymore because he had to focus on business. Trying to convince her to work at Forrester, Rick went on about how she and Abby needed a fresh start and assured her that she would be greatly appreciated by the company. Persuaded by his charm, Ashley accepted the offer, and they shared a toast.
Too tired to drink much, Ashley said she would prefer a cappuccino, and Rick suggested the perfect place to get one. Getting a little flirty, Ashley told Rick he was a very persuasive man, and she couldn't seem to say no to him that night.
Meanwhile, at Insomnia, Donna advised Phoebe to hold on to Rick at all costs. Phoebe worried about going against her father's wishes and causing problems in his relationship with Brooke. Donna thought Phoebe was smart enough to take care of herself and should not allow Ridge to control her love life. Donna went on to ask her if she was willing to wait months or maybe even years for Ridge to change his mind.
When Phoebe said she could wait, Donna pointed out that Rick might not be able to. She then added that if Brooke and Ridge's relationship were strong enough, nothing would mess it up. Continuing with her persuasive tactics, Donna said Phoebe and Rick deserved to be happy just as much as Brooke and Ridge did. Donna warned Phoebe that if she didn't fight for that love, she would regret it for the rest of her life. Phoebe admitted how much she hated not being able to show Rick how she felt.
Before Donna and Phoebe could talk further, Ashley and Rick walked in. Once they got to the table, a jealous Phoebe whined to Rick about not being able to get in touch with him all night and said she knew why. Rick smoothly explained that he and Ashley had been having a business dinner, and he'd had his phone off. Sensing the tension, Ashley and Donna quickly excused themselves, leaving Phoebe and Rick alone.
Phoebe told Rick that she didn't want to allow Ridge and Brooke to dictate their lives anymore. Ashley and Donna observed from afar as the two lovebirds embraced and kissed. Donna excitedly called Jackie and reported that Rick and Phoebe were together and definitely in love. Donna predicted that Ridge would go berserk on Rick when he found out and would end up losing Brooke forever.
Due to CBS Sports coverage of the NCAA College Basketball "March Madness" tournament, the entire CBS Daytime lineup for the day (The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, As the World Turns, and Guiding Light) was pre-empted.
Regular broadcasting resumed on Monday, March 19.
Due to CBS Sports coverage of the NCAA College Basketball "March Madness" tournament, the entire CBS Daytime lineup for the day (The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, As the World Turns, and Guiding Light) was pre-empted.
Regular broadcasting resumed on Monday, March 19.
