Evelyn was in the kitchen, preparing dinner, but her mind was elsewhere. Thoughts of her earlier conversation with Rayna occupied her as she tried to figure out what Sandra was up to.

She was jolted back to reality by the sound of the front door bursting open. Samantha's voice, high-pitched with excitement, rang through the house, bringing a smile to Evelyn's face. Evelyn quickly wiped her hands on a dish towel and hurried to meet her daughter.

"Mommy! Mommy! Guess what?" Samantha's small feet pounded against the floor as she raced into the dining room, her face flushed with enthusiasm.

"What is it, sweetheart?" Evelyn asked, her eyes sparkling as she knelt to her daughter's level.

"I met Rek!" Samantha exclaimed, bouncing on her toes.

Evelyn's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You did! At the park?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Samantha nodded vigorously. "Yes! Can you believe it?"

Evelyn laughed, delighted for her daughter who had reconnected with a lost friend. "That's wonderful, baby. Was he there to play, too?" she asked.

"He was driving by and saw me at the park, so he stopped! And I was there!" Samantha said, her voice bubbling with excitement.

Maya was tempted to interject that wasn't exactly what Derek had said, but she didn't want to dampen Samantha's excitement. She quietly watched with a smile.

"He said he missed me and kept looking for me at the playground," Samantha said, her eyes gleaming with joy.

Evelyn's heart warmed. She was eager to meet the boy who had made such a strong impression on her daughter. "I guess he lives close to the park?" she asked.

Samantha shook her head. "No, he still lives at the hotel." Her tone was matter-of-fact. "He said he'll come to the park to play with me every Saturday! And he gave Maya his number so he can call if he can't come. Right, Maya?" Maya nodded.

Evelyn smiled, relieved. It was nice to know Samantha had made a friend who cared enough to keep in touch. "That's great, honey. Did you meet his parents? Or his nanny?" she asked, wondering if she might meet them, perhaps arrange a playdate.

Samantha giggled at the thought of an adult like Derek having a nanny. "No, Rek was alone. But he promised to come play with me every Saturday," she repeated, her eyes shining with anticipation.

Maya frowned, wondering why Evelyn was asking such questions about a grown man like Derek.

"I guess he was alone with his driver, then," Evelyn said, wondering how wealthy the boy's parents must be if he still lived at a hotel and could afford to drive around so leisurely.

Evelyn felt a wave of gratitude for this thoughtful friend who was making her daughter so happy. She smoothed back a strand of Samantha's hair, her smile softening. "You know, Sam, maybe you could go to the same school as Rek. Would you like that?"

Maya, still watching from the doorway, suddenly realized Evelyn assumed Rek was a child, not an adult. She decided to correct Evelyn and explain that Rek was actually Derek Stone, the owner of the Stone Palace Hotel, but before either she or Samantha could speak, Evelyn's phone rang.

Evelyn took out her phone and glanced at the screen. She raised an eyebrow at Rayna's name. "Go wash up, sweetie," she said, standing. "I have to take this. We'll talk more about Rek later, okay?"

Samantha nodded, and Evelyn kissed her forehead before walking to the living room.

Maya watched Evelyn leave, worried. She had to explain the situation before it got out of hand.

Turning back to Samantha, whose eyes still shone brightly, Maya asked, "Sammy, did you tell your Mommy that Rek is a grown-up?"

Samantha shook her head. "No. Do you think Mommy thinks Rek is a kid?"

Maya nodded. "Yes. We can't let her keep thinking that. We have to tell her the truth, and maybe she can meet him next Saturday." Samantha bobbed her head. She wanted Derek to meet her mother and see how beautiful she was, so they could get married.

Samantha smiled, remembering her conversation with Derek while Maya was too far away to hear:

Samantha looked up at Derek with big, curious eyes. "Rek, are you married?" she asked.

Derek laughed. "That's a big question! I'm not married yet, Sam. Why do you want to know?"

Samantha thought for a moment. "I want you to marry my Mommy! She's so pretty! And she's nice, too. You would like her."

Derek smiled, glancing at Maya, who was watching from a distance. "That's very sweet of you, Sam. But don't you think your Mommy should pick her own husband?"

Samantha shook her head. "No, no, no! I want you! You're nice. And you're handsome, like a prince. My Mommy likes princes!"

Derek chuckled. "Well, I'm flattered," he said, then asked, "Isn't that your Mommy?" He gestured toward Maya.

"Maya?" Samantha asked. When he nodded, she shook her head. "No. Maya is my nanny. My Mommy isn't Maya." Derek nodded, realizing his mistake. "Oh, I see."

"My Mommy is very pretty, and she doesn't have a boyfriend," Samantha said. Derek nodded, unsure what to say. This wasn't a conversation he should be having with a little girl, especially knowing he'd disappoint her and had no idea how to refuse politely. He liked someone else, and even if he didn't, he wasn't going to let a little girl play matchmaker.

"Liam says my Mommy is the best woman in the world. You'll like her when you see her. She's really pretty and smart," Samantha promised confidently.

Thankfully, Maya approached them just then, saying it was time to leave, rescuing Derek from the conversation.