Finishing their ice cream, Nate thinks Audra’s ambition is a distraction from losing Noah. He did the same thing after breaking up with Vikki and/or Elena. Things are ‘transactional’ with Tucker. Maybe ‘this’ is transactional, Audra jokes that she’s just hanging out with Nate for ice cream and job prospects.
Everyone’s trying to help you – you believe you’re being sincere but what you need help, Tucker tries to get through to Ashley.
Over tea at the house, Alan and Traci are fretting about Ashley when Jack comes home to ask when the doctor last saw her. Yesterday at lunch. Ashley might be worse off than we thought – she’s literally not herself, he adds.
‘You’re afraid of how you feel about me’, Ashley sneers as she mocks Tucker – Audra doesn’t want you. She can’t give you what you need, but I can.
Because Audra doesn’t seem concerned about finding a new job, Nate suspects she’s up to something with Glacade. You’re extremely desirable. Am I? she grins at him. As an employee, he adds. We’re friends, no strings. In the background, Lily watches as Audra wipes ice cream off Nate’s face.
Chatting away excitedly about horses, Claire and Vikki finally notice that Cole’s ‘awfully quiet’ – what’s wrong? He has no time to answer as Victor appears to greet the ‘happy little family’.
All wonder why Cole didn’t meet the ladies at the stables. Did you get lost? Victor asks. Claiming that he was on a call, Cole invites Vikki and Claire out for lunch and can’t get them out quick enough. Victor’s left looking suspicious.
Lily strides over to remind Nate about a meeting. Yes, he’ll be there soon – he was just taking a little break. Yeah, Lily can see that. Don’t be late, she huffs off, leaving Nate to ask Audra out for lunch. She’d be delighted.
Alan and Jack swap stories about Ashley being unable to recall details – like, how they met and about Katherine Chancellor. Alan reports ‘resisting’ her kiss; she became ‘petulant’. When he came to smooth things over, he witnessed a personality shift. Neither of us have seen her since, Traci chimes in. According to Tucker, Ashley’s referred to herself in the third person. She’s protecting herself. What from? is the terrifying question.
What do I have to do to convince you? Ashley massages Tucker’s shoulders. He pulls her around to face him – am I talking to Ashley right now? It’s hard to keep track these days.
At the office, Lily worries about Nate and Audra joining forces to take them down. Devon doubts he’d betray them again. Lily doesn’t trust Audra and now questions Nate’s instincts if he’s ‘drawn to her’.
Having lunch at Society, Vikki and Claire joke about Cole being bored by them talking about the horses. Briefly touching on Kyle/Summer/Harrison/the nanny job, Claire comments that it’ll take time to accept that we’re all finally safe. Cole squirms in discomfort, the words on the tip of his tongue.
Of course it’s me, what are you talking about? Ashley’s annoyed – what is it with you people? Give me a break! Tucker takes her hand – he and Alan are worried about her. Yes, Ashley sent him away – because he wanted to do something really inappropriate with her. Tucker disagrees – you sent him away because you’re afraid of what he’ll find out about you.
Alan, Traci and Jack continue to discuss Ashley’s mental state. They started noticing a change in her when she came back from Paris; she stayed for a while after Tucker came back. If this isn’t a reccurence of her brain tumour did something happen to her in Paris???
Claire might pursue a masters in ECE. Getting kids to learn through doing. As she and Vikki chat, Cole replays his encounter with Jordan then excuses himself to go outside to call Mike – I need to see you; how soon can you meet me?
When Nate shows up to work, Lily makes it clear how she feels about him spending time with Audra. She’s going through a rough time and we enjoy each other’s company, he explains to her and Devon. Yes, she broke things off with Tucker.
Well, this isn’t the romantic reunion Ashley hoped for. Tucker knows the real Ashley would want to get better. Take your sanctimonious crap and shove it! But instead of her dramatic exit, she becomes disoriented and collapses into Tucker’s arms. He gently lowers her to the floor.