Chapter Seven


Brooke had changed her clothes three times and still wasn’t happy with her appearance. She posed in front of the mirror and frowned. “Too sexy, it says come on and I am just not trying to project that.” She told Donna.
“Brooke it’s a skirt and a top, you look pretty, feminine and attractive. You’re really freaking out over this. I can’t wait to meet the man who has you in such a tizzy. Even Ridge never made you react this way.” Donna picked up one of Brooke’s discarded choices. “Hey, I like this blouse, can I wear it?”
“Hmmm?” Brooke asked as she rummaged through the closet. “I just didn’t bring enough, everything is just wrong.”
“I guess you weren’t expecting to be going out on a date.” Donna held the blouse in front of herself and admired her reflection.
“It’s not a date. Nick’s just a friend, coming to visit, that’s all.”
“Yeah, you always go through your entire wardrobe trying to impress a friend.” Donna laughed and picked up a sheer white cotton blouse from the bed. “Now this one is nice Brooke, it’s sexy but not too sexy. Wear this with those red pants and you’ll look fantastic. He won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”
“I’m not trying to seduce him Donna!” Brooke protested.
“Yeah, try selling that to someone who didn’t hear your dream last night.” She went to the closet and leaned down to retrieve a pair of red sandals. “These will work perfectly.” She swung them in front of Brooke. “You need to decide, it’s getting late and he’ll be here soon.”
“This was a big mistake.” Brooke moaned. “What was I thinking?”
“You were thinking about the man that you can’t stop talking about or thinking about. Now get dressed.” Donna commanded her.
“I don’t even know what I’m going to do with him. I was so damn impulsive when I called him. I should call him back and cancel.” Brooke fretted.
“Get dressed.” Donna laughed. “I’ll get Hope dressed for you.”
“Lunch, we’ll just have a nice lunch by the pool, talk and then he can leave.” Brooke told her sister. “I’m not ready for this.”
“Not ready for what Brooke? You’ve been here for weeks thinking over your life, and you really did make your decision when you walked out on the wedding. Why can’t you start moving on? It’s not like you’re mourning him, Ridge was a rat and you called him on it. You don’t need to suffer any longer for his actions.” She put down the shoes and walked to Brooke. “Honey, you deserve a chance to enjoy life, you’re ready for it. Don’t deny yourself a chance to move on to happiness.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready.” Brooke sat down on the bed.
“You’re falling into the old trap Brooke.” Donna said with a frown. “Ridge is not the only man on earth you know. And this time it was you, you walked out, you had enough. You are so strong Brooke, keep that strength and go after something you want.”
“I don’t even know him Donna. I don’t know if I ‘want’ Nick, I just like him, I enjoy his company, he makes me smile.”
“Oh you want him, you can’t fool me Brooke, I know you far too well. That dream of yours proved it. I’m not telling you to marry the guy, but I don’t see anything that should stop you from seeing what can happen.”
“Nothing? Donna not long ago I was engaged to marry a man I’ve loved for as long as I can remember.”
“But you didn’t Brooke, and you didn’t for a reason. You don’t owe Ridge anything.”
“It feels somehow like I’m being unfaithful.” Brooke sighed.
“Oh my God Brooke, he was the one unfaithful to you! You need to lose that guilt!”
“It’s hard to just turn your back on something that defined your entire being for so long.” Brooke admitted.
“I guess you’re not over him then.” Donna said with sad resignation.
“I don’t know if I ever will be completely over him.” Brooke sighed. “How do I erase all those years of history?”
“He will always be someone who was an important part of your life.” Donna agreed.
“My whole life revolved around him for so long Donna, it’s hard to let go.”
“Brooke, do you still love him?” Donna asked.
“I think part of me will always love him.” Brooke admitted. “But I could never go back to that. Not with what he did. How could I ever trust him? How could I even look at him the same way? Yet it makes me so sad to think of all we could have had and what we lost.”
“Maybe it is too soon.” Donna took Brooke’s hand.
“No.” Brooke answered. Suddenly she had a new found strength. “I am not going to live the rest of my life regretting what didn’t happen with Ridge. We had our chance and obviously I wasn’t enough for Ridge. All those years I blamed Taylor and Caroline and even God for tearing us apart, but the blame only belonged to one person, Ridge.”
“Wow.” Donna was amazed at Brooke’s resolve and honesty. “You’re really okay aren’t you?”
“There’s a lot I have to deal with Donna, it’s not that easy, but yeah, I think I am okay and I think that maybe it is okay that I’m attracted to Nick. But I am going to take it slowly. I’m not sure that I’m ready for anything too complicated.”
“Yeah but if he’s half as good as he was in your dream.” Donna teased.
“Then I’m a goner.” Brooke giggled. “But that my dear sister, is something won’t find out about for a long time, if ever.”


Ridge awoke with a start. He was confused as he opened his eyes but soon recognized his surroundings, the cabin. “Brooke.” He softly moaned. He had been so sure he would find her here, he knew her so well, he knew her instincts and this was always where she turned. What had changed? He wondered. Of course he knew the answer. “I did it myself.” He said aloud. Images of Bridget filled his mind. What had gotten into him? How could he have ever even thought about her that way? How could he have kissed her and touched her like a lover? No wonder Brooke was so repulsed. “It’s over Brooke, you need to believe me, it’s over and it will never happen again.” He vowed. He got off the couch, pushing the afghan aside, and walked to the fireplace. Grabbing the poker he moved the wood around, checking for sparks. His attention was drawn to the photo of Taylor. He picked it up and smiled. “I really could use some of your advice Doc. What happened to me? Was it missing you so badly that confused me so? I know you must be disgusted with me too. You loved her, you loved her like she was part of our family, and she was. I am trying to get help. Dr. Munoz is helping, he is, but I just wish, I wish Brooke would listen to me. I can make her happy, I can make us a family. I know you’d want that Doc. The kids need a mother. Brooke will be good for them. Show me what to do Doc. Please help me.” He begged.


“Brooke are you EVER coming out?” Donna asked through the closed door.
“I’m just not sure of this outfit.” Brooke complained. “Nothing seems right.”
“Well pick out something, you’ll be 80 before you make up your mind.” She teased. “Or maybe I should just dress you like I did Hope.” She smiled and tickled her niece.
“Donna thank you.” Brooke shouted. “I’d never have had time to get ready and get Hope ready, this was such a mistake. I never should have called him.”
“Well Hope may just have to change again.” Donna said sadly as she watched her niece through the open door to the other room.
“What?” Brooke asked and turned. Both women laughed to see that Hope had managed to get at least half of her cherry lollypop all over her dress. “This happens all the time, don’t worry about it, I’ll change her again after I finish getting ready myself.”
Donna almost missed Brooke’s last comment as she was looking out the window and her mouth was open in a silent gasp. “Brooke.” She said to her sister. “Forget the clothes. Just come out naked. I’ll take the kid and get out of your way.”
“What are you talking about Donna?” Brooke laughed through the door.
“Brooke he’s gorgeous.” Donna watched as the man reached into the back seat of the old car. “His taste in cars sucks, but my God Brooke, he is hot.”
“Nick’s here?” Brooke opened the door and stuck her head out.
“Longish blond hair, tall, sexy, and the tightest butt I’ve seen in at least a year? Yeah, he’s here alright.” She took in the sight again. Nick was wearing tight, worn blue jeans that hugged every inch of him in all the right places, he had on a pale blue button down shirt, but it was loose, not tucked into the jeans, over it he wore a black jacket. He had sunglasses pushed up into his hair and to Donna he was one of the most handsome men she had ever seen.
“Donna!” Brooke blushed and smiled.
Donna turned and looked at her sister. She wore the red pants and the white top as Donna had suggested and she looked beautiful. “You look great.” She assured her. “Go get him sis.”
“Donna stop.” Brooke blushed again.
Donna looked out the window. “He’s really handsome Brooke.”


Ridge put down the photo and sighed. “I know Taylor, I have to do it myself, I have to find a way in my head and my heart to fix this. I loved you so deeply, but I love her too and I can’t lose her. I’m counting on you to be my guardian angel my love, I need you to guide me when I fall. I will get her back, I will.”


“Megan!” Eric called out to his assistant. “Has Brooke called today?”
“Not yet.” She answered as she walked into his office. “But I know she planned on it. Would you like me to give her a message?” She asked.
“Not good enough.” Eric picked up a pile of papers. “I need to speak to her and I need to speak to her now. I have a couple of buyers who just won’t commit until they know she is onboard.”
“But she left you totally in charge.” Megan frowned. “Brooke wouldn’t question your decisions.”
“I am not doubting Brooke, but I really need her. I’m going to have to call her Megan, this is important.” He looked down at his phone and picked up the receiver.
“Eric wait!” Megan took a quick step towards his desk. “Let me call her, I’ll explain that you need to talk to her. She doesn’t know that you know the number where she is, I don’t want her to feel compromised.”
“I am not compromising her.” Eric angrily explained. “But this is important and I know Brooke would agree with me.”
“Then what harm is there with me contacting her?” Megan asked. “I really think it would make Brooke more comfortable.”
“Alright! Fine!” Eric threw down his papers. “But soon Megan, otherwise I will have no choice but to make the call myself.”


“Donna stop staring! You’re going to embarrass him!” Brooke put her hands on her hips as she chastised her sister.
“Awwwhh Brooke, he has something for Hope.” Donna gushed as she watched him retrieve something from the car.
“Come away from the window!” Brooke laughed.
“Here he comes.” Donna giggled and walked over to Brooke. “Hey sis, if you don’t want him I’ll take him.”
“Now when did I say I didn’t want him.” Brooke grinned at her. “You just behave.” She teased. “Are you sure I look alright?”
Donna turned from the door and looked at her sister. “You look beautiful. He won’t be able to tear his eyes off of you or his hands either, I promise you.” She said with s giggle.
“Thanks.” Brooke said softly as a light pink colored her cheeks. She almost jumped out of her skin with the knock on the door. “I’m not sure that I’m ready for this.” She confessed.
“Let him in Brooke.” Donna insisted.
Brooke nervously walked to the door, smoothing her hair one last time before she opened it. When she did the look on Nick’s face should have given her all the assurance that she needed. His eyes widened and shined in appreciation.
“Wow.” He said with a smile.
“Hi.” Brooke answered with a shy smile.
“You look amazing. This little retreat of yours has done you a world of good. Wow, that woman I left in LA has been totally replaced.”
“Was I that bad?” Brooke pouted.
“No, no I didn’t mean that, I just mean, wow. You have a look of confidence and well, Brooke you just look happy.” He peeked inside the room and smiled at Donna.
“Thanks Nick.” Brooke smiled at him. “I guess I was a real mess the last time you saw me.” Then she remembered Donna. “Come on in and meet my sister.” She took his arm and let him inside, closing the door behind them. “Nick Payne, this is my sister, Donna Logan, Donna, Nick Payne, a very good friend.”
Nick extended his hand to Donna and laughed when he remembered that he was carrying the stuffed bunny rabbit. He turned to Brooke with a chuckle. “This is for Hope.”
“She’ll love it.” Brooke smiled warmly as she took it. Then Nick turned back to Donna and took her small hand into his own larger one.
“Nice meeting you Donna.”
“I’m really glad to meet you Nick.” Donna said with a chuckle. “It’s been a long time since my sister introduced me to anyone without the sir name Forrester.”
“Donna!” Brooke gasped.
“Well it’s true.” Donna laughed. “I’m glad you came into her life when you did.” She told Nick.
“I’m glad she came into my life.” Nick answered honestly. He looked around the bungalow. “Nice place. I can see how you found it easy to relax here, though for me I need the sea to do that.”
“Brooke loves the ocean too.” Donna supplied, once more making her sister blush.
“It’s a very nice spa.” Brooke explained. “I’ve had time to think and to rejuvenate myself.”
“Not to mention the massages and treatments.” Donna added. “Brooke hasn’t had a nice relaxing vacation in ages, seems to me any time she goes away its business or one a honeymoon or.”
“Donna!” Brooke gasped even louder this time.
Nick chuckled and took Brooke’s hand. “I agree with Donna, this place has been very good for you.”
“I’m going to really hate going home.” Brooke admitted.
“I imagine you’re starting to get a bit antsy though aren’t you?” Nick asked.
Donna smiled and nodded at Brooke. This man really did know her sister and he was getting more and more of Donna Logan’s approval by the minute.
“I am, but still, it’s nice to be away from all the madness.”
“Ridge.” Donna supplied.
“Yeah. That wasn’t easy for Brooke.” Nick squeezed Brooke’s hand tighter. “But I don’t think you asked me here to talk about Forrester. So what’s on the agenda?”
“I thought we could take a walk, have lunch by the pool.” Brooke suggested.
“Okay.” Nick agreed. “Will Hope be joining us?”
“For lunch.” Brooke answered. “But I have the sitter coming in so we can walk. She’d get tired and bored. Would you like to give her the bunny?” Brooke asked Nick. “It was so kind of you to bring it.”
“I thought the little one might be feeling a bit out of place and homesick and with me pretty much a stranger, I guess I wanted something to make her feel a little bit special, well, without looking like I wanted to spoil her or anything.”
“You did wonderfully.” Brooke crushed the toy to her chest. “Let me go get her. I have to finish getting her dressed too.” She handed the bunny back to Nick. “Don’t embarrass Nick with a lot of silly questions while I’m gone.” Brooke warned Donna. She smiled at Nick and then went into the bedroom.
Once she was gone Nick turned to Donna. “So tell me truthfully, how is she doing? Is this all an act for me so I just leave and stop worrying?”
“She’s really making progress.” Donna answered. “I guess you know some of their history. What he did, it was really hard on Brooke.”
“I know.” Nick nodded.
“But she is getting stronger. And I really want to thank you. I think having a friend really helped her.”
“I don’t know how much I did.” Nick shrugged. “Brooke picked herself up and met her problems head on. I really respect her. She’s an amazing woman. But if I helped her at all, I’m glad I did.”
“I think just having someone to talk to helped her.” Donna answered him. “She knows a lot of people in LA, but she doesn’t have too many friends if you know what I mean.”
“Brooke needs to stop letting them take advantage of her. But she also should be able to count on her true friends. Sometimes though I think she feels like she’s walking a plank working among all the Forrester’s like that.”
“It seems she’s been part of that family almost as long as I’ve been alive.” Donna admitted. “But sometimes they are pure poison to her.” She frowned and looked at him. “We don’t want to talk about them now do we? So how did you meet my sister?”
“I Can’t tell you that.” Nick laughed.
“No?” Donna seemed shocked that he was shutting her out so suddenly.
“Not if we can’t talk about Forrester.” He winked. Then he continued. “I met Bridget first. My ship was in an accident and she was a volunteer at the hospital. I went home with her and I ended up taking a job at Marone, though I am STILL reluctant to be land locked.”
“Have you spent a lot of time at sea?” Donna asked.
“Almost my entire life.” He smiled. “It’s my home, it’s my love.”
“Oh.” Donna was disappointed. Poor Brooke again was falling for a man who was destined to walk, or his case, sail out of her life.
“But sometimes we need to make a change, try something different. So here I am, commander of the fleet. I’m not sure that I’m the right person for the job, but I’ll give it my best.”
“Oh.” Donna said again.
“You sound like someone took the wind outta your sails. Did I say something wrong?” Nick asked.
“Can I be honest?” Donna looked him in the eyes.
“The only way to ever be.” Nick grinned.
“Brooke seems strong now, and she is getting stronger, but she’s fragile and if she’s getting involved with another man that’s just going to walk out on her, well I just wish you’d leave now before she gets hurt again. You seem really nice, but I don’t ever want to see that happen to her again.”
“I’m not running anywhere Donna.” He said in a serious tone. “Yeah, I do miss the sea and I know that eventually I will go back, but.”
“No! Don’t you see, this isn’t good for her.” Donna protested.
“Donna, you aren’t hearing me out. I’m older now, older and wiser and I’m not running from anything. When I go back to sea, it will be a job, I will take a ship out and take her on her course and then I’ll come back. You know I may really be jumping ahead of myself but until I met Brooke I never really felt that I had a reason to set down my anchor. Everything seems so different now. I’m not running out on her, even if all she wants is my friendship, and I hope she wants more, but even if that’s it I will be there for her. I’m not going anywhere Donna and if I do go, Brooke will be the first person to know and she’ll know exactly where I am and when I’m coming back. I won’t let her down, she’s had too much of that in her life.”
“Wow.” Donna sighed and smiled. “You got a brother?” She giggled.
“Sorry.” Nick grinned and gestured up and down his body. “What you see is what you get. I guess they threw away the mold after me, too scared they’d get a second one huh?”
“You really are a breath of fresh air.” Donna answered.
An uncomfortable and embarrassed Nick blushed quickly and cleared his throat. “Anyway, I was sitting at Ridge’s desk one day and she came in.”
“Huh? Oh when you met.” Donna was still flustered by the man’s admissions. She was so happy, her sister finally found a good one. “Why were you at Ridge’s desk?”
“Being nosy. The guy pissed me off for some reason. I was sitting there waiting for him to return, I can’t remember what exactly I wanted. Most likely just wanted to rile him up a bit. But all that was forgotten when she came in.” He stopped as his eyes lit up as he remembered her. “She was soaked to the skin and half naked and just about the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. She jumped when I turned and she said, ‘hey, you’re not Ridge’ and if I remember correctly I said that I wished I were.”
“Why was she wet?” Donna asked.
“Apparently Stephanie poured a bottle of champagne on her. Brooke was celebrating her engagement to Ridge and she wanted to mend fences with his mother.”
“That’ll never happen. That old cow will never accept my sister.”
“I think it’s a moot point now, but from what I’ve heard I’d have to agree.” Nick laughed. “I think Brooke is pretty lucky to not have to deal with that woman, at least not on a personal level.”
“So what happened with Brooke?” Donna wondered.
“She was embarrassed, we talked a little bit, Massimo came in then I left and I guess the Prince of Darkness came in and swept her away.” Donna laughed at his name for Ridge. “We aren’t really pals, I guess you can tell. Anyway, she only wanted him, I wasn’t even a blip on her radar.”
“So she wasn’t impressed?” Donna frowned.
“Hardly.” Nick smiled. “She was head over heels for Old Cliff. Well, she did call me charming. But like I said, it was all about Ridge. Our next meeting was a little more memorable.”
“Oh?” Donna’s eyes widened in curiosity.
“And private.” Nick winked. “We met after the debacle, we talked, I took her home and well, here I am.”
“I’m glad you are.” Donna admitted.
“Now what are you two talking about?” Brooke asked as she and Hope entered the room.
“You.” Nick and Donna said simultaneously. They looked at each other and laughed.
“Only good things.” Nick added.
“I’m sure.” Brooke crinkled her nose and then looked down at Hope. “You remember Captain Payne don’t you honey?”
“Ick.” She said with a sweet little smile.
“I must be making a bad impression on her.” Nick chuckled.
“She’s trying to say Nick.” Brooke assured him with a blush.
“Come here darlin’.” Nick held the stuffed bunny out to Hope. The little girl’s eyes lit up, but she looked to her mother for permission.
“Yes sweetheart, you can go to Nick.” She told her.
The child grinned and walked shyly over to Nick. “Me?” She asked as she looked at the toy.
“Yup, it’s for you.” He gave it to her.
“Tank you.” She looked at Donna and giggled.
“So, are we ready?” Brooke asked.
“As soon as the sitter gets here.” Donna answered.


“Hi honey.” Stephanie looked up and smiled at Ridge as he entered her office. “You’re in late, did you go out last night? Did you have a date?”
“A date?” He scoffed. “No Mother, I went looking for Brooke.”
“Ridge.” She frowned at him. “I thought you were going to just let it go.”
“I love her, how am I supposed to just let her go?”
“You weren’t loving her very much with your actions with Bridget.” Stephanie reminded him.
“Can we please just forget that?” Ridge begged. “It was a terrible mistake, one I’m going to be paying for forever.”
“Maybe not.” She answered.
“You think Brooke will forgive me?” Ridge asked hopefully.
“I meant maybe it wasn’t such a mistake.”
“Mother come on, you know it was wrong, I know it was wrong, hell, we all do.”
“Yes, it was wrong to think that way about Bridget, but I think you were just reaching out to the kind of woman that she is, the kind of woman that you deserve. You need to go out and find someone just like her, someone who will make you happy, as happy as Taylor made you.”
“Mother please.” Ridge growled.
“You know I’m right.” Stephanie insisted. “You need to forget Brooke and forget Bridget and move on.”
“I love Brooke.”
“No, you just think you do because it’s a habit Ridge, nothing but a tired old habit. But I am going to help you.”
“Arggggghhh!” Ridge threw up his hands. “I don’t need your help Mother!”
“Humor me.” She smiled. “What harm could that be?”
“Judging from the past, plenty.” He said with a smile. “Mother, I know you mean well, but I love her and I intend to prove it to her and win her back.”
“Listen to your Mother Ridge.” Massimo said as he entered the office.
“Massimo.” Ridge said softly, acknowledging the man’s entrance.
“Brooke Logan is not right for you, she was a diversion, one on the way to your true happiness.”
“Oh and by that you mean Bridget?” Ridge asked. Stephanie gave the man a sharp stare.
“No, no Stephanie has convinced me that while I think Bridget is wonderful, there may be too many complications. But that doesn’t mean you should settle for the likes of Brooke Logan.”
“I am not settling for anything. I love her.” Ridge insisted.
“You wouldn’t love her if you knew what I knew my son.” Massimo put a hand on Ridge’s shoulder.
“What? What do you know about Brooke?” Ridge asked.


“So have you ever been married?” Donna asked Nick after swallowing a bite of her seafood salad.
“Donna!” Brooke rolled her eyes. “She’s always been very forward Nick.” Brooke apologized.
“It’s an valid question.” Nick answered. “And no, I’ve never been married, not to a woman anyway.”
“Oh my God, you’re not gay are you?” Donna gasped.
Brooke frowned and looked from Donna to Nick, who burst out laughing.
“No, I’m not gay.” He answered.
“Wait, wait I know!” Donna giggled. “You were married to the sea right?”
“Oh God.” Brooke choked as she held back her own laugh. “Not another sea analogy.”
“Actually that is exactly what I was going to say. I guess I’m way too predictable.” Nick laughed and turned to Donna. “What about you? Have you ever been married?”
“Not for lack of trying.” She smiled. “I’ve tried to um, take the plunge and hook one, but I never was able to reel one in.”
“Not you too.” Brooke giggled.
“It’s catching.” Donna laughed and pushed her plate away. “God this is nice. I’m so glad to see someone who makes my sister not just smile but laugh too.”
“I aim to please.” Nick laughed.
“So where did you call home before you settled in LA?” Donna asked.
“Why are you grilling him?” Brooke turned to her sister.
“I’m just interested.” Donna answered with a sigh. “Am I annoying you Nick?”
“Not at all.” He winked at Brooke. “Seattle.”
“You lived in Seattle?” Brooke asked.
“Yeah, when I wasn’t sailing I did.” He answered.
“So what made you move here instead?” Donna questioned him.
Nick looked embarrassed and turned away.
“Oh.” Donna grinned.
“Donna stop!” Brooke begged her.
“Lunch was good.” Nick said, changing the subject.
“They do a wonderful job here.” Brooke agreed.
“How was your salmon?” Nick asked Brooke.
“Delicious.” She wiped her mouth and put down her napkin. “And your crab cakes?”
“Not quite like Maryland, but very good.”
“You do get around.” Donna commented.
“I did, but well, I think for now I’m sort of settled in here.”
“Candy.” Hope announced, making the adults all laugh.
“What do you say you and Auntie Donna go get some ice cream Hope? We can let Mommy and Nick have some privacy.”
“Thanks Donna.” Brooke smiled.


Jackie Payne turned the page in the photo album and smiled. “Oh Massimo, after all these years.” She hadn’t been prepared to see him again last night, she hadn’t known what to say to him. She had made a hasty retreat and she knew that he probably was annoyed and had more questions than ever, but she needed time, she needed time to make some decisions before she spoke to him. She had tried to call Nicky earlier but had only gotten his answering machine. She had left a brief message hoping he would call quickly. “We were so young.” She touched the young couple in the photo. “We had such a wonderful life ahead of us, but it all changed, it all changed.” She reached for her tea and noticed the blinking light on her phone. She had been in the kitchen, she must have missed the call. She turned on the machine and smiled at the message, Nicky was with Brooke. “Oh Nicky, you can be happy, you can stay here and make a life with a woman you can love. Now if only I knew what to do about Massimo.”


Nick tightened his grip on Brooke’s hand and stopped by the tall tree. He pulled her to him and kissed her softly on the lips. “Thank you.” He said with a smile.
“For what?” Brooke asked.
“For asking me to come, for being you, for everything.”
“I’m glad too.” She leaned back against the tree.
“You seem so relaxed, so at peace. I missed you but I’m glad you did this, I think it helped.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed each finger.
“I had a lot of time to think. It did help Nick, and this helped too, more than you can even imagine.”
“This?” He asked.
“You.” She corrected herself.
“I’m glad I could do anything to help.” He smiled at her. “And hell, I got a good lunch out of it too.”
“They have a wonderful dinner too.” Brooke smiled and touched his cheek. “Stay?”
“You want me to?” He asked.
“Very much so.” She answered.
“Brooke?”
“Yes?”
Nick pulled her into his arms and kissed her, not the soft tentative kiss like before but a real kiss, a deep kiss. Brooke moaned as her arms snaked around him. Her mouth opened to his and hungrily drank in the kiss. She deepened it and pushed herself closer to him. It felt so good, it felt so right. All the guilt she had felt the other times they had kissed was gone. “Nick.” She moaned, kissing him harder. She opened her eyes and looked up into his. They both smiled and then started kissing again. This time they were together, they moved as one and it was perfect. “Wait.” She said, struggling from the embrace.
“I’m sorry, I just thought. I guess I moved too fast.” Nick apologized.
“Shhhhh.” She smiled and touched his lips. “I just thought we could go further, away from the crowd, where we could have more privacy. There’s a place ahead, I sit there when I need to be alone.”
“You’re not alone now Brooke, you never have to be alone again.” He swore to her.
Brooke grinned and took his hand. “Come on.” She started pulling him.


“Don’t look so dejected my son.” Massimo sat next to Ridge.
“She’s with Popeye! She’s with Popeye! All this time I’ve been going crazy trying to find her, trying to explain to her and she calls him!” Ridge slammed his fist onto his leg.
“They’re suited Ridge. Neither one of them belongs in your world.”
“You hired him.” Ridge said with a pout.
“He’s a good sailor Ridge, he’s a fine captain and he knows they sea and the fleet. He’s an asset to my company, but he is not like you Ridge. He and Brooke are alike. Just like you and Taylor were.”
“I love Brooke! Why won’t either of you ever listen to me.”
“Your mother and I want better for you my boy.”
Ridge stood up and looked angrily at Massimo. “It doesn’t matter what you and Mother want, I’m not a boy Massimo, I’m a grown man and I make my own decisions. You and Mother both need to realize that. I love Brooke and I want Brooke!”
“Brooke has moved on. She left and when she had a chance to contact someone she contacted Dominick Payne, a virtual stranger. Doesn’t that say something about her character Ridge? Think about it son, you deserve so much better than her.”
Ridge looked pained as he sat down again. “How do you know she called him?” Ridge asked.
“Dominick was in the lounge, I went to talk to him but he was leaving a message for his mother, I heard him.”
“Maybe he was lying, maybe he called Brooke, maybe he’s not seeing her at all.”
“Ridge.” Massimo exaggerated the name in a condescending manner, one that you would use when talking to a young and stubborn child.
“So what am I supposed to do? Just forget her? Just forget how much I love her and how much I want a life with her?”
“I’m now sure that’s what you really wanted Ridge. If it were, then why would you have been so attracted to Bridget?”
“I, I don’t understand that. It was a rough time for me, I’d lost Taylor and things with Brooke weren’t going well, Bridget needed someone, I needed someone, it all got out of hand, it was a mistake and I know that. Brooke isn’t a mistake Massimo, I love her.”
“Brooke left you, Brooke left and she doesn’t want to see you. Now all I’m asking you is to give this time, let her be with whomever she wants to be with, in the meantime you can see other women too. Perhaps you’ll come to realize that Brooke wasn’t really the path you were meant to follow.” He put his arm around his son. “I can help you.”
“How? You want to fix me up?” Ridge asked in a dejected voice.
“A party. I’m going to throw you a party with plenty of lovely, single, eligible women.”
“Those you and Mother consider appropriate no doubt.” Ridge scoffed.
“Those you will find not just appropriate, but perhaps perfect.” Massimo said as the twinkle came back into his eyes. “Tonight my boy, I’ll have it all set up tonight!”


“He’s in a really bad mood Bridget.” Megan warned the young woman before she knocked on Eric’s door. “I think maybe you may want to come back later.”
“We have to clear things up.” Bridget told her. “What’s wrong? Problems with Forrester?”
“He needs to talk to your mother, but she hasn’t called in today.” Megan explained.
“Has she, I mean is she calling you?” Bridget looked sad as she asked the question.
“It’ll take time Bridget, I know she loves you. I know she wants to talk to you, but.”
“I know.” Bridget stopped her. There was no reason to go into this any further. She knew she had betrayed her mother, just like her mother had betrayed her. It had hurt them both then and it hurt them both now. She wondered if they’d ever find a way back to one another. “But right now I need to see if I can fix things with Dad.” She smiled at Megan and rapped lightly on the door.
“Megan I’m busy!” Eric growled. Bridget cowered a bit, but opened the door and walked in.
“It’s me Dad.” She told him.


Brooke sighed as she took a deep breath. She reached up and touched her kiss-swollen lips and laughed. They had been making out like teenagers for what seemed like hours and she felt better than she had in months, maybe even years. A soft breeze blew and she felt her bare nipples harden. Nick leaned over and licked one and then the other.
“Are you comfortable?” He asked. He had laid his jacket down for her but at that time she had still worn her shirt and bra. Now she was bare from the waist up, with the snap on her jeans open too. His hand caressed her belly button while his thumb made lazy circles under the elastic top of her panties.
“I’m in heaven.” She admitted. She reached up and touched his chest, His shirt was open, but he still wore it.
“If we’re moving too fast.” Nick said hesitantly.
“No.” She smiled. Her hand went to his neck and pulled him back to her. Their lips met in another kiss, with Brooke brazenly parting Nick’s mouth open with her own tongue. She arched her body up to his hand and shifted, pushing him deeper into her panties. “Nick.” She moaned as he touched her wet center. “Oh yes.”


“What happened?” Stephanie demanded as she pushed past Massimo’s secretary, into his office.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Ridge is coming around. I promise you.”
“He didn’t seem that way to me.” She argued. “He told me to stop interfering in his life. Now you tell me what happened!”
“I told him about Brooke.” Massimo said with a smile that bordered on evil.
“What about her?” Stephanie frowned.
“She’s already moved on.” He answered. “Just like the slut we knew she was.”
“Massimo?” Stephanie looked worried. “What did you do to her? You didn’t hurt her did you?”
“I did nothing. She’s done it herself. The little tramp couldn’t hold out anymore. She called him, she called him and asked him to come to her.”
“Ridge? I don’t understand.”
“No, not Ridge. Dominick Payne, she called him and told him to come to her. She never had patience to wait and this time it is working out for us. Ridge would have taken her back, now he won’t.”
“He’s the sea captain isn’t he?” Stephanie wondered.
“He is. He’s a decent man, a strong man, a good worker. Brooke could do worse, much worse. In fact, if you ask me, Dominick is getting the short side of this deal.”
“How do you know all this?” She asked.
“It’s not important, what IS important is that Ridge is seeing her for what she is and he’s agreed to my idea.”
“What idea?”
“The party, I’m throwing a party to introduce Ridge back into society.” Massimo smiled. “I’m going to help find him a good woman, a woman who I can proudly call a Marone.”


Brooke shuddered and moaned as her release came. She let out a soft yelp, which brought a smile to Nick’s face. He gently pulled his mouth from her, replacing it with his hand. He stroked her softly, easing the transition as he shifted up to kiss her deeply and passionately. Brooke found it oddly erotic to taste herself on his lips and tongue. She reached up to softly stroke his face. “Oh Nick, we should have, we could have, I mean you, you didn’t. I did but you didn’t.”
“It’s okay.” He said as he kissed her softly on her lips. “It will happen when the time is right, it can’t happen before that.”
“But.” She protested. “Nick I was ready, I wanted it, we both did.”
“Our bodies were ready, but your heart isn’t yet Brooke.”
“Oh Nick.” She groaned. “I.”
“It’s okay.” He repeated with a smile. He took her hands into his own. “When I make love to you I have to know you won’t go back to him. If we made love and you did, it would kill me Brooke.”
“I won’t.” She swore.
“Soon.” He promised. “Soon your heart will catch up with your head. Our time is coming Brooke. I’m just sorry that I couldn’t control myself better today. But you blow me away.”
“I didn’t want you to control yourself.” She smiled. “I loved today, every second of it. Donna was right, it was better than the dream.”
“Huh?” He asked with a confused look.
“Nothing. I just had a wonderful time with you today Nick. Something I never expected to have again.”
“I did too.” He agreed. He grabbed her abandoned panties and red jeans. “Here you go.” He handed them to her. “I think I’ll take you up on your offer.”
“Which one?” She asked with a laugh.
“The pool. Let’s get dressed, head to that boutique and get me some trunks. Then we can go for a nice swim.”
“But the water is very cold.” She warned him.
“Hmmmm.” Nick looked down at his lap. “I think that’s just the ticket for me right now, don’t you?”
“Oh Nick, I’m so sorry.” She blushed as she pulled the jeans back on.
“Sorry? You just gave me a taste of heaven Brooke. I have patience to wait for the rest. How about you?”
“Oh yes.” She smiled. “But I can’t wait very long.”
“I don’t think we’ll have to.” He handed her her bra and shirt. “We better hurry, I’m sure Donna and Hope are wondering what we’re up to.”
“You’ll still stay for dinner right?” She asked him.
“A typhoon couldn’t pull me away Brooke.” He answered with a deep kiss.


Donna tickled her niece and laughed. “Your Mommy must be having a wonderful time Hope. Maybe he really is the one. I hope so. Brooke really deserves happiness. I think Nick Payne may have finally sailed into the right port, don’t you Hope? Huh baby? Don’t you?” She asked the laughing little girl.


“I love you too honey.” Eric said as he held Bridget.
“I’m so sorry I disappointed you.” She cried.
“It’s over, it’s over now. You understand it was wrong and you’re going to move on. I love you and so does your mother. It’s going to be alright honey.” He promised her.
“I’ve been thinking.” She said.
“Yes?” He asked.
“I think I want to take that scholarship in Copenhagen. I think I need to be away, at least for a while. I’ll miss you, I’ll miss you so much but I think it will do us all good.”
“I hate to think of you leaving, but it may be the best thing for you.” Eric agreed. “But you can’t leave until your mother comes back.”
“She doesn’t want to talk to me. Maybe we can talk after I’ve been away. If I go then maybe she and Ridge can fix things.”
“Is that what you want Bridget?” Eric asked.
“I don’t know Dad. I just want the pain to be over.”
“Will you at least wait until I talk to her?” He asked.
“Okay, but I think I’m going to ask Stephanie to help me make my plans.”
“Alright honey.” He said with a hug. “I think our family is finally going to heal itself.”


“I know he’d love to see you dear.” Stephanie said into the phone. “No, the wedding was called off, he and Brooke are over. Yes. Yes. I do too, I know you felt that way. Who? Just a small group, we’re trying to cheer him up. He’s had a rough time lately. Good. I’m so glad. I’ll see you later honey.” With a smile she hung up the phone and put a check mark next to a name on a list. “Soon you’ll realize that it never was Brooke for you Ridge. Tonight is going to be the first night of the rest of your life.”

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