It's Saturday and Brooke has her date with Julian tonight to have dinner with him. Feeling like she's betraying Lucas and not trusting Julian, she's very apprehensive about this evening. However, she fully intends to go to this date to try to forget Lucas and give Julian a chance. She wants to be able to form her own opinion and perhaps not repeat the same mistakes. Mistakes that led her in the past, and still today, to love a man who was incapable of loving her in return. Since their argument, Brooke and Lucas have not brought up the subject, much to Brooke's relief. Their relationship has thus returned almost to normal, although there is still an awkwardness between them. On Brooke's side, she knows the reason, but as for Lucas, she doesn't really know. Does he resent her for going out with his partner? Or does he still feel guilty about telling her about her ex-husband? Not wanting to ask her directly, things remain unsaid between her and him, spoiling their complicity. This was why, when Brooke runs into Nathan on this Saturday morning, he immediately tells her of his concerns.
Nathan : Hey, Brooke!
Brooke : Hey, Nathan! Are you done with Lucas yet?
Nathan : Yeah, he's not feeling too good today.
Brooke : Oh really? Why?
Nathan : I don't know. I was hoping you'd know more than I do. Since you've been getting really close lately, I thought you'd know what's bothering him.
Brooke : It's true that we've gotten closer, but...
Nathan : But what? You guys had a fight, right?
Brooke : You could say that, yes.
Nathan : I see. I should have known.
Brooke : Why?
Nathan : Because there's only one person here who can upset him like that and that's you. So what happened?
Brooke : Do you know Julian Baker?
Nathan : Lucas's partner? Yeah, sure. Why?
Brooke : Because he asked me out to dinner and I said yes.
Nathan : It's weird, but you don't seem to like it.
Brooke : Not really, no.
Nathan : Why did you accept then?
Brooke : It's a bit complicated to explain, Nathan.
Nathan : That much?
Brooke : Yeah.
Nathan : Then come with me.
Nathan takes Brooke by the arm, then leads her to the beach so they can talk without being disturbed.
Nathan : Now that we're alone, tell me why you said yes to Julian, Brooke.
Brooke : Because I fell in love with Lucas.
Nathan : Really?
Brooke : Yeah. It's stupid, isn't it?
Nathan : I don't see how it's stupid, Brooke. Surprising, yes. Stupid, no.
Brooke : Why, surprising?
Nathan : Because at first, it was more like war between you. At least, on the surface.
Brooke : I know, but I guess I'm not learning anything.
Nathan : What do you mean?
Brooke : With my ex-husband, it was the same. Even if he treated me badly or if we fought all the time, I still loved him despite everything. I always have this hope that people can change and that things can get better.
Nathan : So what? That's what happened with Lucas, right? And that's why you fell in love.
Brooke : Yeah, but that's stupid, because Lucas will never share my feelings. Just like my ex-husband didn't share them either and was screwing his secretary. I really am a hopeless case.
Nathan : You're not a hopeless case, Brooke. Your ex-husband was just an asshole. And who says Lucas will never share your feelings? He might already be.
Brooke : I doubt it, Nathan. Lucas loves and always will love his wife.
Nathan : I'm not so sure about that, Brooke. And if you really do love him, you should tell him.
Brooke : What do you mean?
Nathan : I don't know, Brooke. I just have a feeling Lucas isn't telling you everything about his accident.
Brooke : Do you think so? What could he be hiding?
Nathan : Haven't you ever noticed that he talks about Sawyer easily, but never Peyton?
Brooke : Now that you mention it, yes. But what could that mean?
Nathan : I'm not sure, but what I do know is that Lucas is a good guy and he deserves to be happy. So if you think you can make him happy, talk to him. It would be a shame if you missed out on a beautiful story. You and Lily deserve it too.
Brooke : Thanks, Nathan. You're a true friend.
Nathan : You're welcome, Brooke. So, are you going to go to this dinner anyway?
Brooke : Unfortunately, I don't have much choice. I already accepted, so I can't see myself standing him up. But I'll talk to Lucas when I get home.
Nathan : Okay. I hope everything goes well for you then. Just be careful with Julian, Brooke. That guy collects women.
Brooke : I know, Lucas already warned me. But a dinner doesn't mean anything, does it?
Nathan : No, but still pack some pepper spray in your purse just in case.
Brooke : I don't have any, but a good knee where I think should do the trick.
Both bursting out laughing, Nathan and Brooke calmly return to the house.
After Nathan leaves, Brooke immediately decides to go see Lucas, worried to know if he's okay. Entering the living room, she finds him looking at the ocean, his back turned to her. He is lost in his thoughts and does not seem to have heard her enter. She then approaches him slowly...
Brooke : Lucas?
Hearing Brooke's voice, Lucas jumps slightly, before turning around and looking at her strangely. Uncomfortable, Brooke immediately questions him.
Brooke : Is everything okay?
Lucas : You were with Nathan on the beach.
Brooke : Yes, so what?
Lucas : So, you two seem to get along really well.
Brooke : Yeah, that's true. But like you and me, right?
Lucas : You mean Nathan and I are the same, Brooke?
Brooke : I don't see what you're getting at, Lucas.
Lucas : Answer me... Are Nathan or me the same?
Brooke : I don't know! What do you want me to tell you?
Lucas : The truth!
Brooke : The truth is that I love you, Lucas! Are you happy? But you don't feel the same way, do you?
Brooke's abrupt declaration of love seems to have the effect of an uppercut on Lucas, who stares at her open-mouthed. Brooke is frozen like a statue while Lucas stares at her in silence for long seconds. Taking this silence as a refusal, Brooke speaks again with deep bitterness.
Brooke : That's what I thought.
Finally coming out of his stupor, Lucas then approaches Brooke to take her hand with a sorry look.
Lucas : I'm sorry, Brooke.
Brooke : Sorry for what? It's not your fault if your heart is already taken. I knew very well that it was a one-sided love and that's why I didn't want to tell you anything.
Lucas : Is that why you agreed to go out with Julian?
Brooke : Yes.
Lucas : Don't go, Brooke.
Brooke : Why?
Lucas : Because...
Brooke : Because what, Lucas?
Lucas hesitates for a long moment, seeming to lead an internal battle, his jaw clenched, his hand squeezing Brooke's wrist. However, when he finally speaks again, his answer is not what Brooke expected.
Lucas : I don't know...
Brooke : Okay. It's better like that anyway. I'm your employee, after all, it wouldn't be appropriate. I'm going to go out with Julian and see how it goes. In the meantime, I'm going to go for a walk with Lily.
Lucas not adding anything, Brooke then takes her hand again, before turning her back on him to quickly head towards the exit.
After walking for a long time with her daughter all afternoon, Brooke locked herself in her room until her appointment time. Spending her time crying, before taking a shower and carefully putting on makeup to hide her awful face. With a heavy heart, she is now choosing an outfit in her closet. Finally ready, she looks at herself in the mirror one last time, before going out to say goodnight to Lily.
Lily : You're so beautiful, mom! You look like a princess!
Brooke : Thanks, sweetie. Did you brush your teeth?
Lily : Yes. Are you going to the restaurant with Mr. Scott?
Brooke : No, why?
Lily : Because I like him. He's nice.
Brooke : Me too, but Mr. Scott is my boss. So I can't go out with him, you understand?
Lily : I think so.
Brooke : I'm not going to be home late. In the meantime, be good and go to sleep quickly, okay?
Lily : Okay.
Brooke : Good night, sweetie. I love you.
Lily : I love you too, mom.
Brooke kisses Lily on the cheek to say goodnight, then she leaves the room to tell Lucas that she's leaving. As she enters the living room to find him, Lucas is plunged into darkness, seeming to be waiting for her. Brooke then approaches him timidly while her now fiery gaze travels over every curve of his body. Brooke stops right in front of him, Lucas then speaks to express his admiration.
Lucas : You look beautiful, Brooke.
Brooke : Thanks, Lucas. It's been a long time since I dressed like this.
Lucas : Well, you should do it more often.
Lucas and Brooke look at each other for a few seconds with embarrassment, before Lucas takes her hand, placing his lips on the inside of her wrist again. Brooke is surprised to see that he doesn't stop there. His lips trace a trail of sensual kisses along her arm to the hollow of her elbow. A shiver runs through her entire body, and Lucas gently pulls her by the arm to make her sit on his lap. Face to face, they look at each other like this for long seconds, Lucas framing Brooke's face with his large hands. With her mouth half open, Brooke then sees him plunge his lips to come and kiss her deeply. Their tongues discover and mingle while time suddenly seems to have stopped. Unfortunately, that's not the case, with Debie abruptly bringing them back to the grim reality.
Debie : Mr. Baker is here, Brooke. Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to disturb you!
Brooke jumps up from Lucas' lap, then turns to Debie, her cheeks burning.
Brooke : Tell him I'll be right there, Debie.
The governess then nods, before leaving the room. Brooke turns to Lucas again, waiting for him to say something. To tell her not to go on the date and that he feels something for her... But he doesn't say anything. He just looks at her in silence, looking heartbroken and lost. Brooke then turns this time towards the exit to join Julian.