Thorne pondered how he'd thought Ridge had been embarrassing Taylor at dinner. Then Claudia walked in. He apologized to her. She told him she was confused but could tell that he was in love with Taylor. He told her how beautiful she was and that the man that loved her was going to be very fortunate. She replied that she only wanted one man to love her. He said he cared for her but not in the same way he cared for Taylor. Claudia, very hurt, realized that Stephanie had only pretended to like her.
Taylor told Ridge he had taken it too far at dinner. Taylor didn't think that Claudia would help much. She thought maybe she should go up and speak to Thorne. Ridge told her no. Stephanie suggested they go for a walk. They left as Claudia walked downstairs. Claudia told Stephanie that Thorne felt very close to Taylor and not her. Claudia said that she and Thorne were just friends and nothing more. "Sorry to disappoint you!" Claudia said very bitterly.
Ridge and Taylor talked about Thorne until he changed the subject by asking if she had been down Rodeo Drive lately. She told him no because it was too expensive. He gave Taylor a very expensive tennis bracelet she had been wanting. Thorne fantasized about dancing with Taylor at the pool and just being with her. Thorne watched Ridge and Taylor embrace.
Claudia accused Stephanie of using her to get between Thorne and Taylor. Claudia said she should've been told of Stephanie's plan. Stephanie said that Claudia could turn the caring into love if she wanted to. Stephanie asked if Claudia was afraid to compete with Taylor.
Ridge told Taylor he would make up with Thorne if she would go swimming with him in nothing but her new tennis bracelet. When they were embracing, she noticed Thorne looking down from his bedroom window. They both left to change.
Claudia let Stephanie know that competing was beneath her. Stephanie said that if Claudia truly loved Thorne, that moment was her best opportunity. Stephanie said, "He has realized he can't have Taylor. He's feeling very alone. You're the one who has to take the first step."
When Taylor returned, she was still fully dressed. When Ridge asked why, she told him she'd seen Thorne staring down at them. Ridge grumbled a little. Taylor asked him to have a little compassion because Thorne had just found out he was getting a divorce and was not thinking clearly. Ridge said he would have a talk with Thorne the following day and put everything behind them. Ridge said, "I want to be close to you tonight. I really need that." They danced.
As Thorne watched Ridge and Taylor, Claudia entered the room in a sexy nightie. Thorne was in awe. She seductively walked over to him and started stroking his face. He just looked at her very vulnerably and seemed about ready to cry.
Sheila wondered if James would still be attracted to her when she got bigger. She couldn't take that chance and had to get rid of Maggie so she and James could be together. James and Maggie walked in laughing. Sheila and Maggie exchanged looks and words. The phone rang, and it was Jessica, who was crying.
Ridge told Stephanie that Taylor had gone home. Ridge began to go upstairs but decided against it, realizing Claudia might be in Thorne's room. Ridge said Thorne had to know he didn't have a chance with Taylor. Stephanie said, "I wish I could believe that." Ridge said, "It is totally a one-sided thing. Taylor hasn't reciprocated it." Stephanie just looked on.
Taylor asked Lauren how long Claudia had been in Thorne's room. When Lauren told her about an hour, Taylor thought she should go stop them from making a mistake.
Thorne pulled Claudia's hand away and turned to take another drink. She asked if she should leave. At first, he told her yes and then no. He asked her how to make the pain go away. Claudia said, "Let me help you." They kissed passionately.
Jessica was having panic attacks that were affecting her asthma. She was missing classes. Maggie was worried. Sheila suggested that she see a shrink. Maggie wanted to go be with Jessica.
Ridge didn't think Taylor could ever fall for Thorne. He said, "Even if she did..." Stephanie looked up, saying, "Then what?" Ridge said, "Even if she did, I'd have to kill them both." Stephanie looked at him in horror. With a smile, he told her it was the only thing he could do.
Thorne stopped kissing Claudia. He apologized and said, "I shouldn't be doing this! I know you feel you owe me because I hired you. I don't expect anything for that. I respect you, and I wouldn't put you in that position." Claudia told him it was not gratitude. She wanted to help him. He didn't think there was a way to help him. He thought the pain would never go away, especially if Taylor married Ridge.
Claudia told Thorne that there was a possibility that Taylor wouldn't marry Ridge. Thorne thought that Taylor and every other woman thought of him like a brother. He didn't think women found him attractive. He yelled at Claudia to get out and go stare at Ridge. Then he hugged her, wondering what he was doing.
Lauren told Taylor that Taylor was acting very jealous. Taylor said she was not jealous; she was just worried about Thorne because he was very vulnerable at that moment. He could be pushed over the edge very easily. Taylor said, "I'm not sure what Little Miss Claudia wants."
Maggie wondered what Sheila was planning while she was gone. Maggie just gave Sheila the eye. Maggie knew that Sheila would try to hit on James and would self-destruct. Sheila said, "If anything happens, I'm living with a shrink." Maggie responded, "If anything happens while I am gone, you won't need a shrink. You will need an emergency room!" James made arrangements for Maggie to leave that night, and he told her he would find a psychiatrist in London to refer Jessica to.
Lauren told Taylor that the only reason she didn't want Claudia with Thorne was because Taylor wanted to be with Thorne. Taylor said that it was not true. Taylor told her that if any woman were with Thorne, there would be a major disaster.
Thorne wished he felt for Claudia like she did for him. Claudia didn't expect it. Thorne told her that she deserved to be happy. They started kissing again. He hesitated then she pulled him closer. They fell back on the bed, and this time, she stopped them. Claudia said, "No! I can't do this! This isn't what you want. You want Taylor."
Thorne told Claudia he couldn't have Taylor. She said that if they were to do that, they would be wrong. Thorne thought he kept making one bad move after another. She said she was the one making the bad moves. Claudia said, "I will probably regret this. You deserve to be with the person you love." They hugged.
Brooke thought about how she had previously loved her work and her life. Grant called, asking her to go to dinner. She turned him down, saying she was tired, which left Grant very frustrated.
Mike Guthrie visited Sheila and wanted to know what her plan was, since Maggie was gone for a few days. She told him she had no plan but to be herself. She wanted him to see the side of her that wasn't sexual. He wished her luck, and she told him she didn't need it.
Katie stopped by to babysit so Grant and Brooke could go "two steppin'." Brooke insisted that she was not going anywhere. Katie said that Grant would be disappointed. Brooke explained that she'd already spoken with Grant, and he understood. Katie saw a picture of Ridge, Brooke, and the kids. She suddenly understood. Katie asked if Brooke was just sitting around the house, thinking about Ridge. Brooke didn't want to talk about it.
Katie and Brooke started talking about how things had been when Brooke had been with Ridge and how Brooke and Grant were. They spoke of the little stone turtle he'd given her a while back. Brooke admitted she'd thrown it away but wished she hadn't. Katie said, "Don't you just hate it when you throw things away that meant something to you?"
Grant told Clarke that all the stuff, like the prestigious job, nice office, and nice car, didn't mean anything without Brooke. Grant tried to figure out a way to get back to the way they had been when they'd met.
When James arrived at home, Sheila asked how his day had been. James didn't want small talk and told her to get on with it. She was confused. James said, "Go ahead, take it off!" James assumed she had some lingerie under her apron. She said, "Sorry to disappoint you, but I was just thinking of a quiet dinner." She poured him some white wine, gave him the paper, and told him dinner would be ready soon.
Clarke told Grant that he fantasized about Lauren Fenmore. Grant said that Clarke wouldn't get anywhere with Lauren. Clarke said, "I'll take your word for it. You are the expert of not getting anywhere."
Brooke told Katie that she was not throwing Grant away. She just needed time. Katie said that Brooke was married to a wonderful man who worshiped her. She added that he'd once made Brooke very happy. Katie thought if Brooke gave him a chance, he could again. Brooke had a change of heart and called Grant. She asked him if he was still interested in dinner. When he jumped at the chance, she told him to dress up.
Sheila made a big dinner with steak, real potatoes, and real gravy. James was afraid that if Maggie found out that Sheila was eating that, he would get into trouble. She told him it would be their secret. He finally agreed to "this one time."
Katie helped Grant with his tuxedo tie. Then Brooke pranced down the stairs, looking stunning. Grant told her that he'd never thought he would have the chance to make her happy, and she would not regret it. They embraced.
Eric hesitantly mentioned to Lauren that he hoped that his decision about her designs had not affected their personal relationship. Lauren assured him that it was in their best interest to keep their professional and personal lives separate. She then kissed him. When he admitted that he was bothered by how long it had taken him to move toward developing a relationship with her, Lauren suggested that it was time to tell Stephanie. Eric assured her that it was her decision.
Looking for Eric, Stephanie found Sally at the door, looking to talk about Macy and Thorne. When Sally speculated that Thorne was to blame, Stephanie countered that Macy had caused most of the problems in that relationship. Angry, Sally boasted that Stephanie had to have some idea of what it was like to watch the person in one's life go after another person because of Eric. Stephanie was outraged by the statement and ordered Sally to leave.
Lauren found Stephanie with a terrible headache and learned that Sally had just stopped by. She worried that Sally had mentioned her meeting with Clarke but was then caught off guard to hear Stephanie talk about her strong feelings for Eric.
Brooke and Grant enjoyed their night out at the Café Russe, and as they danced, Brooke noticed Captain Harper at the bar and suggested they stop by and say hello. Grant convinced her not to then later tried to approach the man but found him gone. He did find a matchbook from a hotel and guessed the man might be staying there.
Stephanie urged Thorne to give up on Taylor for the sake of the family.
Lauren sought out Ridge's advice about Stephanie and Eric, and Ridge confirmed that his mother hoped to get back together with her ex-husband. Lauren went to see Eric and stunned him with the news that she wanted to back down from their relationship for a little while. He guessed that it was because he'd refused her designs, but she assured him that his decision had nothing to do with it. Lauren left, crying to herself after making the sacrifice for Stephanie's sake.
Claudia had a chat with Taylor about Thorne and admitted that while she'd had the opportunity, she had not slept with Thorne. Taylor accused her of having feelings for Thorne and suggested that she stay away. Claudia countered that it might be better if they both stayed away, though she added that it would be best if Taylor completely forgot about Thorne.
Thorne confronted his brother and revealed that nothing had happened between him and Claudia. He laid into his brother for the way he'd talked to Taylor at the family dinner the night before and for embarrassing Taylor. Ridge warned Thorne that Thorne didn't have a chance with Taylor.
Thorne headed to Taylor's, where he claimed Claudia was only a good friend. He then surprised Taylor with airplane tickets for two and asked her to go away with him.
