Riley was used to juggling life as a single mom and trying to find love — but every time a date discovered she had an 8‑year‑old son, things quickly fell apart. She had smiled through the disappointment so many times that by the time she agreed to meet Mitchell, her nerves were on edge.
Mitchell seemed different. Kind. Charming. The hope in her chest flickered, but fear crept in too — what if mentioning her son made him walk away, just like all the others? In her gut, she felt the tension of a choice she shouldn’t have to make: love versus truth.
Riley made a choice she later regretted — she left Roy at a friend’s house, pretending it was just for the night so she could focus on the date. She kissed him goodbye with a heavy heart, drove to the restaurant, and tried to push worry aside.
At the dinner table, Mitchell’s warm smile eased her anxiety. They laughed over quirky menu choices and shared stories about their lives. For the first time in months, Riley felt truly present, genuinely enjoyed herself, and wondered if this could actually be real.
But even as the conversation flowed, there was a nagging voice in her mind — she still hadn’t told him about Roy. So when she asked, “What do you think about kids?” and Mitchell awkwardly changed the subject, her chest tightened.
Before she could gather her courage to confess, her phone buzzed. It was Kyle, the friend watching Roy. “He fell — he won’t stop crying,” he said. Riley’s heart lurched. She apologized to Mitchell, confessed she had a son, and rushed out.
Mitchell didn’t pull away. Instead, he gently admitted he’d been hiding something too — a 12‑year‑old daughter he hadn’t mentioned because he was just as scared she’d judge him. Hearing that lifted a weight off Riley’s shoulders.
Together they drove to Kyle’s, hearts thumping. When they reached Roy — safe, a little embarrassed but smiling — Riley’s relief turned into something warmer. Roy admitted he made up the hurt so she’d come back sooner. Tears of love and laughter mixed as Riley hugged him tight.
On the drive home, Mitchell asked with a hopeful grin, “How about our next date? We bring the kids.” Riley smiled back, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time. There was no more hiding — only love, honesty, and a chance at something real.
