Riley's POV
Heat floods my face as I straighten up to face Vanessa, my heart still racing from what just happened between Caleb and me. "You two were kissing! Are you getting back together?" Vanessa's voice rings out with pure excitement, her eyes bright with hope.
I steal a quick glance at Caleb before focusing back on our daughter. The last thing I want is to crush her dreams or give her false hope about something I'm not even sure about myself. "Sweetie, sometimes grown-ups get caught up in feelings, but your father and I need to have some serious conversations first. How about we go downstairs and find something to eat?"
I deliberately avoid looking at Caleb again, not ready to see whatever expression might be crossing his face right now. My own emotions are too tangled to process his reaction to my careful words. These children have already endured so much upheaval, and with everything still uncertain ahead of us, I refuse to add more confusion to their world.
