Despite Nick once again growing closer to Sharon (Sharon Case) on Young and Restless, he still has a connection to Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) — and according to portrayer Joshua Morrow, that isn’t likely to to change anytime soon. “I know [the Sharon/Nick fans] don’t want to hear this, but Nick cares deeply about Phyllis,” the actor tells Soap Opera Digest. “He is always going to love her. They share a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 together. They share a very rich history — and that’s never going away.”

Taking Sides

Currently, Nick and Phyllis’s relationship is complicated by the fact that Phyllis has been working closely with Cane, whom pretty much no one else in Genoa City feels they can trust. Though Ashby claims to be canceling his plans to take over all the businesses in town, Phyllis isn’t convinced, and her loyalty to the tycoon is placing her and Nick on opposite sides of the brewing conflict.

“It’s going to be very tricky because he also wants to do everything he can to protect her,” Morrow previews. “He knows that sometimes she is her own worst enemy. He knows that sometimes she doesn’t make the best choices when it comes to her future and her life.”

The problem this time is that her choices could potentially affect Nick and his family directly. “The fact that Phyllis is seemingly turning her back on Nick and looks like she wants to join forces and attack the Newman family will never sit well with Nick,” the actor explains. “No matter how deep his love is still for her, you do not attack the family on Nick’s watch, and that’s what Phyllis seems to be doing.”

Agree to Disagree?: Will Nick (Joshua Morrow) and Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) be able to find common ground?

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

While Cane’s intentions are now in question, Phyllis appears determined to stay on the path to power and success. She could try and persuade Ashby to resume the grand plan or else strike out on her own and try to achieve similar goals, which could continue to pit her against Nick and the rest of the Newmans. “The dynamics in play with that are going to be very fascinating to see how it plays out,” Morrow says. “Because I wonder myself, how far is Nick willing to go to protect the family if Phyllis proves to be a full-blown enemy? What does that look like for Nick?

“Because again, he goes out of his way to protect as well,” the actor concludes. “It’s going to be very dicey for him choosing and sort of figuring out how best to protect the family while also not hurting this woman he still cares deeply about.”