At the cabin, Hope thanks Brooke for the candles and her mother takes in the romantic setup and asks if this is why she asked Katie to watch the kids. She snarks, “Would you like me to bring you some lingerie too?” Hope gawps, “Mom!”

Brooke narrows her eyes and reminds Hope she knows how she feels about her relationship with Thomas. She understands that she wants to try and move on with her life and maybe have a little fun, “But why does it have to be with Thomas?” Hope says they have a bond. They know each other, they trust each other, and she doesn’t have to beg for his undivided attention. Brooke reminds her daughter that attention was once unwanted and obsessive. Hope says it’s not anymore, “Everything is fine!”

In the design office, Luna lets RJ know how nervous she is to meet his sister, Steffy, who is an icon. RJ agrees that Steffy’s a big deal, but he’s sure Luna will be one day too. He hears that the newest designer at Forrester has really taken a liking to her… and his big sister will find her just as beautiful and charming as he does. They kiss.

In the cliff house, Finn soothes Steffy, who is upset about her grandfather dying. He suggests they reschedule tonight. Steffy doesn’t want to do that. She’s already sent the kids off with her mom and is looking forward to meeting the young woman who is spending so much time with her brother. Finn finds it wild that his cousin is working at Forrester, it’s quite the coincidence. Steffy says RJ’s her biggest fan. He deserves a sweet woman. Finn tells her that his mother always said the same thing about him, “And look how that turned out.” They kiss.

At the cabin, a knock comes at the door. Hope calls out, “Thomas, you’re early!” She opens the door wearing black lingerie. Liam is there and gawps, looking around behind her to take in the romantic setup.

Hope asks Liam what he’s doing there. He realizes Beth isn’t there and asks what she’s doing, “Are you expecting Thomas?” She tries to close the door on him, but he wants to discuss the scantily clad elephant in the room. He never asked her how far things had gone with her and Thomas because he didn’t think he wanted to know, but now… Hope chirps, “Now you know.”

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At the cliff house, Finn greets Luna and RJ, who has brought wine. Steffy tells Luna how nice it is to meet her. Luna tells her cousin she still can’t believe she’s in L.A., it’s surreal. RJ goes on about how helpful she was with Granddad’s collection. Steffy marvels that Luna wasn’t intimidated by working on Eric’s greatest collection ever. Luna replies that it was fascinating and inspiring how Eric found joy in it despite everything happening with him. Steffy’s still trying to process it. The thought of losing him is unthinkable. RJ and Luna explain that designing the collection was fun. RJ and Luna compliment each other. Steffy thanks Luna for being there for RJ and her grandfather. “You allowed them to enjoy their time together and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, Tanner Novlan, Joshua Hoffman, Lisa Yamada
“Finn says dinner is warmed and ready to eat, and then he and Steffy stumble all over themselves to explain why they ordered in rather than cooking, “We’ve been, uh, busy.” Luna can’t wait to try it and Finn observes that she sounds as sensitive and caring as ever. Steffy talks about security and how excited she is to be back, to work with RJ, and to get to know Luna better. They toast to the future.

In the design office, Thomas concludes a work call and Brooke appears, “Oh good, Thomas. You’re still here.” He has to go — he has dinner plans. Brooke would like to talk to him before he goes to see Hope. Thomas doesn’t want to be late. Brooke says it’s been an emotional day and suggests he instead spend time with his sister or his father. Thomas muses, “Anyone but your daughter. Look, I get it, Brooke, you still have misgivings.” He says he’s changed his behavior and she’s told him he’s seen the change in him. So has his entire family and her daughter, who truly believes in him now.

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Thomas won’t let Brooke’s emotions to affect his. Brooke is concerned about him as well, “I don’t want you to get hurt in this situation either.” Thomas says no one will get hurt and he and Hope have told her that. Brooke can’t understand this given he’s surrounded by beautiful women all the time. Thomas says he only wants to be with Hope. Brooke volleys that Hope doesn’t feel the same way, “She doesn’t love you like that, Thomas.” Thomas says Hope has been burned and doesn’t even believe in love right now. Brooke feels there’s no way around their history. Thomas agrees it’s complicated but the moments they’ve had over the past few months have been incredible. Brooke warns that when Hope finds her way back to herself he will be cut.

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In the cabin, Hope doesn’t want drama with Liam, she just wants to unwind with Thomas. He scoffs, “With Thomas. Are you even hearing yourself?” Hope doesn’t need his approval. Liam reminds her that if Thomas had his way, they’d still be grieving Beth. He rants at her to imagine life without their daughter and then tell him how she wants to “unwind with Thomas.”

Hope hollers that Thomas has changed, “How have you not see that? And so have I!” Her world got turned upside down when their marriage imploded. For him not to offer her an ounce of understanding… “I thought I knew you. Now, I see the world in a whole new way, and you of all people, don’t get to stand there and judge me.” Liam is scared for her, “Move on if you want, but not with Thomas.” Hope scoffs, “Oh, you mean a man who prioritizes me, who doesn’t have eyes for other women, who loves me.” She informs Liam he doesn’t get to tell her what to do when he went and ran to Steffy. Liam is sorry he hurt her, “But you and I are connected for the rest of our life because of our daughter.” He worries for the kids and worries for her, “And damned if I don’t still love you. Always will.”