At the cliff house, a shirtless Finn nuzzles Steffy as she looks out the patio door. They go over the ultimatum she gave her mother. “She left me no choice.”

For the bazillionth time, they go over why Steffy had to do it. If Sheila gets wind of Taylor and Deacon, there’s no telling what she will do!

 

 

Steffy decides she needs to talk to someone about the situation with her mother. Finn guesses it will be her dad. Steffy agrees, but hopes Taylor will call and says she’s not going to see Deacon. They must not incite Sheila.

In her office, Taylor looks at a screensaver of Steffy’s family and flashes to her daughter’s ultimatum… if she gets involved with Deacon, she’ll lose them. Taylor moans and groans about the impossible position she’s in.

At home, Sheila rambles on, but Deacon doesn’t hear a word she’s saying. She asks what’s on his mind. “Or should I be asking who?” Deacon, a notorious alcoholic, nervously sips a drink as Sheila muses, “You’re thinking about Taylor, aren’t you?”

Deacon admits he has been thinking about Taylor. Cue Sheila gushing about what a huge difference she’s made with him. She’s been wonderful and incredible for both of them. Deacon flashes to telling Tay he loves her.

At Forrester, Ridge grunts about missing his father, even though he tried to push him into retirement. He told him he could come back, but he hasn’t, which is a good thing. Talk turns to Katie as Hope walks in. Ridge thinks maybe the new designer can convince Katie not to use the name Logan.

After prolonged speculation about who the designer might be, Ridge warns that they won’t be successful regardless of who they get… running a fashion house is very complicated.

At Spencer, Bill warns Liam to keep the secret about Eric until they’re ready to announce it. “Not one word.” Liam warns this will make Forrester implode… there will be rifts over there. Bill nods… it could be very valuable to them. But the timing is critical. They have to get Eric across the finish line before they find out.

Bill predicts they’ll make a fortune on this… and he’s not talking about the designs. They’re a communications business first and foremost. They’ll splash Katie and Eric on the cover of Eye on Fashion, and everyone will pay to get the scoop. It only works if Eric doesn’t drop out and the story doesn’t leak. Liam can’t speak about this to a single soul… certainly not Hope or Brooke.

At Brooke’s place, Hope asks her mom if she’s OK. Brooke sighs that she can’t do much about the Logan situation, but at least they’re back with their men. On cue, Liam comes through the curtains. Brooke goes on about her rift with Katie and just happens to mention that she hopes Eric’s enjoying his retirement.

Back at the office, Ridge is joined by Steffy. He expresses frustration that he hasn’t heard from Eric… his instincts tell him something is off. Steffy says he’s right. Something is off. “With mom.”

Steffy tells Ridge that Taylor is seeing someone and it’s really bad. “He’s married.” Ridge shrugs. It could be worse. Steffy blurts that he’s not just married… he’s married to Sheila Carter. Ridge’s eyes pop out of his head. “Deacon?! Your mom’s hooked up with Deacon?!”Deacon arrives at Taylor’s office and assures her that Steffy’s at Forrester. He’s excited about them and had to see her. Taylor agonizes about losing her family. Deacon asks how she’s supposed to give this up. Taylor says they shouldn’t have to… she wants to kiss him!

Deacon wonders if Steffy might be bluffing. Taylor says she isn’t… she knows how dangerous Sheila is. Deacon’s desire for her is a fire consuming him. How is he supposed to go back to Sheila? She’s not the right woman for him and he’s moved on emotionally. Deacon’s speech reaches a crescendo, along with the background music, and he and Taylor kiss passionately.