Single mother Riley was tired of failed relationships. Every time her dates learned she had an 8-year-old son, Roy, they quickly lost interest. Desperate to find love, Riley made the difficult decision to hide Roy on a date with Mitchell, a kind and charming man she hoped could be different. That evening, Riley arranged for…

Single mother Riley was tired of failed relationships. Every time her dates learned she had an 8-year-old son, Roy, they quickly lost interest. Desperate to find love, Riley made the difficult decision to hide Roy on a date with Mitchell, a kind and charming man she hoped could be different.

That evening, Riley arranged for Roy to stay at his friend Kyle’s house, even though she rarely left him overnight. She needed this chance to focus on herself and see if Mitchell could be the one. At the restaurant, their conversation started awkwardly but soon flowed easily, filled with laughter and shared stories.

Still, Riley worried about telling Mitchell the truth. When she tried to ask his thoughts on kids, he avoided the topic, which made her anxious. Then her phone rang—Roy had fallen and was hurt. Feeling guilty, Riley confessed to Mitchell that she had hidden her son because she was scared he would walk away.To her surprise, Mitchell admitted he had a 12-year-old daughter and understood the challenges of dating as a parent. He offered to come with her to get Roy.
At Kyle’s house, they found Roy safe but missing his mom. Riley hugged him tightly, promising she’d always come back. As they drove home, the tension eased, replaced by hope. Mitchell smiled and suggested their next date include their kids, and Riley felt a warmth she hadn’t felt in years.