Riley was totally caught up in Mark, in the way his eyes sparkled, the bright blue that came from them as he looked at her on his way off the field. From them comes an intensity, an honesty, a gentleness.

Perhaps this was what was meant by a gentleman, not one of weakness or trite politeness, but one of great spirit and noble ways. What he was, what was beautiful about him, came from deep within; it made her want to feel how his lips move in a kiss, how his hands would follow the curves of her body.

But the whistle blow on the field brought her back. She was at the soccer game, Katie by her side, along with Evan and Lacey as well.

"Is Zach okay?" She asked, touching his chest. She felt his chest underneath the fabric, the tight skin there and smiled up at him.

"Determined," Mark said, brushing his dark hair out of his eyes. "LIke his dad, which reminds me… you owe me a date."

She blushed as the words came from his mouth and she bit her lip, feeling the intensity of everyone's eyes on her from around them. Lacey nodded, smiling at her in approval, but she knew Evan hated Mark with a passion. Which was mostly jealousy because Mark was a great guy as far as she knew.

"Me? Oh, you don't give up, do you?" She blushed and then looked up at him. She liked the confidence he had around her. It made her feel alive.

"Not a chance," he crossed his arms over his chest, the muscles there being accentuated. "The country club is hosting this new members event tonight. I was wondering if you'd keep me company, so I wouldn't die of boredom."

"She'd love to!" Lacey cheered and Riley laughed, rolling her eyes.

"Lace! Do you mind?" She laughed, smiling up at Mark. He was so handsome and confident, in the way Kyle was. In the way, she wished Kyle still was. "But yes, I'd love to. Sounds fun."

"It's a date then," he smiled as the final whistle blew.

"That's game!" Lacey said, clapping her hands together.

"Thank God," Evan muttered as he stepped out onto the field. Riley glanced over at him. "Good game, buddy!"

Riley looked uneasily over at Evan. Was she supposed to feel bad for him? He was her Kyle's brother. He wasn't just some guy that she'd met in high school anymore.

Mark was an actual choice, someone worth thinking and dreaming about.

"I'm going to go pack up the car," Lacey said, winking and turning to walk away. "I'll see you soon."

She nodded and glanced up at Mark again, who smiled down at her. They were good for each other, right?

Katie pulled on Riley's hand. "I want to go home," the little girl said as she looked down at her.

"How was your game, Katie?" Mark asked.

"I was bad," Katie shrugged, laughing.

"If you ever wanna practice," he bent down to talk to her, smiling. "I'm happy to help."

"I don't want your help," Katie quipped, turning away and crossing her arms.

Katie did not like Mark one bit. That worried her and she sighed, she knew she'd just have to get used to him. She missed her daddy and she knew how that felt.

"Katie, that was not nice." She warned, looking back at Mark. "Sorry, long morning."

"It's fine," he waved it off. "I understand. Maybe sometime soon, I could come by and teach Katie some pointers."

"I don't want his help!" Katie kicked her soccer ball and grunted as she crossed her arms.

"Hey, Katie!" Riley pulled on her arm and looked at her as Evan came back, Travis right behind him, holding both his and Katie's soccer balls.

"Hey," Evan called out, kneeling down to talk to Katie.

She looked at him, and then back at Mark and she knew what she had to do. She couldn't let Evan be her surrogate father. He wasn't Kyle and he wasn't the man in her life, that was Mark.

"No, we've got this." She said, pulling Katie's hand and then looping her arm around Mark's. "Let's go. Nice to see you, Evan. Come on, Trav."

Mark went to fetch his son as Riley riled her kids into the car and helped them buckle up. By the time she closed Katie's door, Mark was walking toward her, smiling.

"Hey, I wanted to take a moment with you before we part ways," Mark said, as he unlocked his SUV for Zach to get in, giving him his soccer bag. "Now that the kids aren't here, I wanted to say how excited I am for our date tonight."

"Me too," she smiled up at him, giggling. "I'm excited to get some adult time with you." He nodded, chuckling with her. "Is there a theme or something I should know about?"

"Not that I know of," he said, shrugging. "I'll be in a suit, maybe a red tie, if that helps."

"It does," she smiled, taking a hold of his hand.

His strong hands, slightly rough from working, held hers as he stared deep into her eyes. His smile etched its way back into her mind, forever. His body was warm and toned as he leaned in to hug her, comforting to the touch. His voice was deep, with a serious tone.

His lips brushed her ear as he spoke, "I really do like you, Riley. I can't wait for tonight." He pulled back and leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers.

It wasn't like one of those close-mouthed kisses like you do when you're in eighth grade and you've never held hands before with a girl. It was full on, open-mouthed, almost sexual kiss. And she loved it.

She loved the way she melted into his arms. The way their lips fit like two puzzle pieces. The way she relented as he played with her hair and held her tighter and tighter. He leaned her up against her car, just away from where anyone inside could see.

And when they broke away after what seemed like ages she looked up at him, her cheeks blushed as she met his eyes. "See you tonight?" She whispered, her hand curling up on his chest.

"Definitely," he leaned forward, pressing their lips together for another brief kiss.

The passenger door opened as Lacey stepped out impatiently. "What's taking' so long- oh." Lacey giggled then when the pair broke apart. "Sorry."

"I'll call you later when I'm on my way." He smiled and then dashed toward his car.

Riley immediately looked at her best friend and smiled, her cheeks blushing. "You couldn't have waited five more minutes?" She asked.

"Sorry," Lacey laughed, walking toward her. "Is he a good kisser?"

She nodded, biting her lip. She wasn't usually one to kiss and tell to much, but she couldn't help it. Mark was different. So different. He made her feel so good and that was everything she was worried she wouldn't feel after Kyle left. And that was everything she'd ever wanted.

After Riley had dropped Lacey off with the kids at the house, she went to pick up some groceries for the next few days. She grabbed the bags on her way into the house, walking in the side door, by the kitchen.

Evan and Travis were playing video games on the couch, both deeply invested in the racing game. Katie was kicking her soccer ball around the house.

"Hey, what I'd say about kicking the ball in the house." She said catching the ball under her foot.

"Sorry mama," Katie said, picking it up.

"Ahh!" Evan cried in defeat.

"Yes!" Travis cheered. "Mom, look! I beat Uncle Evan!"

"Awesome Trav," she winked, smiling at him.

Katie dropped the ball and Travis quickly stole it, laughing as he ran away.

"Not fair! Give it back, it's mine!" Katie yelled, running after her brother.

"Man, she's been moping around all day," Evan said, coming over to help put the groceries away.

"Yeah, I know." She sighed. "I've been asking for days what's wrong, but she won't say." She grabbed the closest bag of groceries and began putting them away in their proper places in the freezer and fridge.

"You alright?" Evan asked, grabbing the cereal boxes and moving them to their place on the opposite counter with the rest of the breakfast stuff. "You see a little, on edge."

"Long day," she sighed. "Thanks for helping Lace watch the kids. You stayin' for dinner?"

"No, I've gotta run." He said. "I'm meeting Selena at the Pony Keg for happy hour."

"Oh, that's still goin' on." She muttered, rolling her eyes.

"I know you don't approve," he said, looking inside the bag again.

"It's none of my business who you date, Evan." She laughed, waving him off as she grabbed more things to put inside the fridge. "It's just things were lookin' up for you and I'd hate to see her get in the way of that."

"She keeps things interesting, and you're one to talk, goin' out with that stiff," Evan said, tossing the paper bag he'd emptied away.

She closed the fridge and looked over her shoulder at him. "You know, just because you're with Selena doesn't make you a relationship expert."

"I'm just looking out for you," he said.

"And I'm just tryin' to have a little fun," she smiled. "I'm a grown woman, Evan. I can look after myself just fine."

He nodded, smiling. "Of course," he said.

"You know what, why can't I go out with a nice guy and just enjoy myself?" She asked, getting irritated with him. Why did he always have to act like her protector since Kyle left. She didn't need one.

"Riley, relax." He muttered.

She was over it. "And that's another thing I don't need, you telling me to relax." She said, flatly.

"I didn't mean to make you upset. Forget I said anything," he said, taking a step away from her.

"Look, I'm really grateful for all you've done Evan, but you've got your own life so I don't need you to go meddling in mine." She said softly.

Evan nodded. "You're right, you don't. I should be goin' anyway." He grabbed his jacket, pulling it on. "And let me make this easy for you. I'll keep my distance from now on."

"Great," she nodded.

"Good," he said, walking out.

She watched him leave, looking over her shoulder at him. She was worried about him, really worried.

After Riley's failed date with Mark, she sat on the pool's side with Evan, who was looking better than he did the last time they talked.

"Ozzie's bacon cheeseburgers, the thing I miss most about this place," she said, sliding her legs over to keep her dress away from the water.

Her dress had an elegance to it. It made her look like the lady she was pretending to be. She knew she wasn't, not really. But this dress made her feel like one, just a little.

It was a dress that she'd bought to impress Kyle, like the other dress she'd worn to the Beaumont Belle Gala. One that was only intended for him to see. For a date night where they went out of town. She'd never even wanted Beaumont to see her in it.

Neither dress was really her. They were both extreme in different ways, but still, she looked good. And she knew it. She just didn't like to admit it and she couldn't wait to get home and take it off.

"I don't know, you seemed pretty comfortable in there," Evan said, taking a bite into his burger.

"Well, it's a good life. I mean, you've got to admit that," she said, eyeing him. "A lot of girls would love it."

"I don't see the appeal," he shrugged, taking a sip of his beer. "Just a bunch of uptight jerks, if you ask me."

"Hey. Some of the best people in Beaumont work in there." She said, beaming at him. She was so happy to see Evan was back like himself.

"So you and Dr. Mark," he started.

She cut him off, "He's a good guy," she reminded him.

"The best," he joked.

"Come on," she sighed. "Lay off him. He's got some wonderful qualities."

"Oh, yeah. He's fantastic. I mean, Riley, there's this incredible ballet in Brussels. I was crying all over the place," he mimicked Mark in a comedic way and she laughed out loud, giggling like a schoolgirl.

"What is that face?" She laughed.

"I'm gonna go ride in my Mercedes. And, Katie, why don't I show you how to kick a soccer ball?" He asked, mimicking a kick in the pool by his feet. "He's so cocky. That's why I couldn't handle him."

"Stop," she laughed, gasping for air. "He's just a doctor. That's how they can be, you know."

"Yeah," he smiled at her, their face close, but yet far away.

Her eyes dropped to his lips, plump and right there. But he was untouchable she had to remind herself, meeting his eyes again as she smiled.

"You know what would make this better?" He asked.

"What?" She smiled.

"Fries," he laughed.

She joined him in laughter again, until her stomach ached and she was so happy to be okay with Evan again.

Long after Katie fell asleep in her arms, Riley laid there, rubbing her back. She couldn't sleep, not after almost losing her baby. She didn't know what she would've done if she hadn't found her. Katie was tightly tucked to her side, sleeping soundly as though nothing bad had happened.

After another five minutes of lying there, Riley moved out of bed, tucking the blanket around her daughter as she pressed a kiss to her forehead.

She moved out into the main room of the house, seeing it was sound and everything was in its place. She walked outside onto the back patio, needing a breath of fresh air.

It wasn't long until the door opened and she turned to see who was coming outside.

It was Evan.

"Hey," he said, smiling softly at her.

"Hey. I thought everybody left," she said, sighing.

"Travis wanted one more story," he explained, pulling the door closed behind him. He walked over to her, rubbing her side. "You sure you're alright?"

"Tonight was awful," she stared at the night sky, talking to him. "One of the worst nights of my life."

"Well, you got Katie back. That's the important thing." He said, reassuring her as he looked at the sky too.

It was a clear, beautiful night. The first one in a while.

She nodded, smiling at him. "You were so sure that we were gonna find her," she said. "How?"

"Just had a feeling, can't really explain it." He explained, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and pulling her closer. "I just knew everything was gonna turn out all right and if they get lost again, you can be damn sure we'll find them. Okay?"

The warmth his hand filled her with was everything she needed at that moment. She smiled up at him and took in a shaky breath, looking away.

He pulled at her heartstrings in all the right ways. She didn't know what she was going to do about it.

"I don't know if I can do this," she whispered.

"Do what?" He asked.

"Everything," she sighed. "It's all just too much. I mean, I didn't think I'd be doing this all alone," she looked over at him, tears in her eyes. "I was supposed to do this with someone. Not alone and I didn't think it'd be this hard. I'm so sorry that I was mean to you," she turned, rubbing her hands up against his forearms. "I'm so sorry I don't know how to relax anymore. I'm just so sorry Evan."

"Hey, Riley," his hands touched her hips, holding her close to him, but just far enough to not be inadvertently touching. "You don't have to apologize. And you are not alone. I'm not going anywhere."

She smiled at him. Evan had always been there for her. Always. Even when she pushed him away, but Evan never left.

He was always there, and she felt it. How he was just there for her, and she felt that closeness. As he moved closer, wrapping her into a tight and warm hug, she relaxed into it and breathed in his cologne just as he pulled back to press his face against hers.

She touched his neck, rubbing the warm skin there as she smiled at him.

Their lips touched a moment later, and Riley went with it. After everything today, everything with Kyle. She'd been so alone. She wanted this, to some extent. She wanted this warmth. This companionship

The odd connection you only felt when kissing someone. To feel loved by someone again.

She was completely unprepared. You would think that after all the hours she'd spent with Evan- watching him talk, laugh and frown - that she would know all there was to know about his lips. But she hadn't imagined how good they would feel pressed up against her own.

His hands were wrapped up in her hair and hers locked around his neck pulling him down slightly. When they broke apart for air, she rested her forehead against his and gathered some much-needed oxygen. His smirk told her everything and she smiled back, sinking into his hold.

"I should go," he whispered. "Before anyone sees us."

She nodded. "Call me," she reminded him.

"I will," he said, pressing one last kiss to her cheek before he left her, all alone, just like before.