Kate pinched the bridge of her nose, her elbows causing the magazine pages to crinkle. She carefully smoothed over the page, her eyes studying Jack's smiling face.

Jack's photo and stats were overlapping his photo with a large #4. He had been listed as one of California's 42 most eligible bachelor's. Not only did it brag about his academic and professional accomplishments but it listed his wealth.

The idea left Kate grinding her teeth. Jack wasn't just a list of degrees or a bank account. He was a leader, a nurturer. He was the man who held her hair back and rubbed her back when she got sick. He was the man who held her when she had nightmares about the island. He was the man who was still an active parent in Aaron's life, even though he could have easily walked away.

Aaron.

Suddenly, she realized any woman in Jack's life would be in Aaron's life. Could she handle him having a stepmother? Could Aaron love another woman more than her?

She finished the last sip of coffee and rose from the table. It was always awkward to see Jack when they juggled Aaron but today would be even harder. Should she speak up? Would he think she was being sincere or jealous? Would it turn into a fight?

Her mind still raced with unanswered questions when she pulled up to a little diner next to a Go-Kart track.

"Mommy!" Aaron yelled, rushing up to his mom. She knelt down, grabbing him and lifting him in her arms.

"Hi, baby," she stroked his blonde hair. She glanced at Jack with a soft smile. "Hey," she whispered.

"Hey," he smiled. Even in a diner with bad lighting, Kate looked absolutely stunning. Jeans, flats and a ballet wrap shirt were all it took for her to look like a knockout. Every week it seemed like she grew more beautiful. He wondered if he had taken her beauty for granted or if losing her only magnified it. "Don't worry, he wore a helmet," Jack nodded his head in the direction of the Go-Kart track.

"I trust you," she smiled back as she settled into her side of the booth. "Speaking of, I saw—"

"You saw the article," he interrupted. It was embarrassing to him to be listed as someone who was still single. Since his breakup with Kate, he hadn't felt single. He felt like he was earning her forgiveness. She was his, she just didn't realize it yet. "Yeah," he ran his hands through his hair. "I guess I'm a hot commodity."

"Sounds like it," she smiled falsely. "Just, I mean with so many women coming in and out of your life..."

"How many women are you expecting?" Jack asked with a laugh. He knew it would kill him if Kate were on a similar list but he loved seeing this side of Kate. The idea of him with another woman would drive Kate crazy. He knew because the idea of Kate dating someone else drove him wild. Even now, looking at Kate, her body was still his. She was still his.

Kate bit down on her lower lip, stifling a smile. "You know what I mean," she said after a moment. "These women are going to be in Aaron's life unless you—"

"I'll stop you right there. I will always be in Aaron's life, Kate." She felt her cheeks redden at an idea that she secretly loved. She was grateful for Aaron for keeping her in constant contact with Jack. Even if they weren't together, she wasn't ready for them to be apart.

"I just don't want it to turn into fights between us. I mean, because of Aaron."

Jack let it stop there. He couldn't push her too hard; he couldn't force her to consider feelings he knew she wasn't ready to face. It would only make Kate run, he'd learned that time and time again. "It's a shame. They're uh, having a party in our honor. I was going to see if you wanted to join me." He realized that he could use this to his benefit, let Kate see firsthand that she had competition.

"Seems trivial to bring a date to celebrate what a bachelor you are."

"Well, you wouldn't be a date," he admitted. "I'd just make the arrangements for you to get a ticket."

"Yeah," Kate smiled suspiciously. "That would be good. I'm not such a bad catch myself, thanks to that settlement..."

Jack was amazed yet again at how naive she was to her own beauty. She still felt as though her bank account was her biggest selling point; in reality, her perfect body, beautiful face and maternal nature were things no man could resist.

"Exactly," Jack played along. "Maybe we'll both meet someone at the party." And just like that, he would be able to see Kate for an evening, even if they weren't going together. While he hoped for more, he at least had a start with Kate.