"As expected," Iva said carefully. "Shock, mostly. Confusion. He needs time to process." She paused. "But as I said... it is up to you two to figure things out."
Lori nodded slowly.
She didn't trust herself to speak.
Iva crossed the room and took her hands. "I know is not easy."
A tear slipped down Lori's cheek.
Iva wiped it away with her thumb.
"He didn't reject you, Lori. That's what matters right now. Everything else... you'll figure it out together."
Lori nodded again, not trusting her voice.
Iva hugged her—fierce and quick—and then stepped back to Caleb's side.
"We should go," Caleb said quietly. "Give you some time."
Lori walked them to the door. She hugged Iva one more time, then shook Caleb's hand again.
"Thank you," she said. "For everything."
Caleb's eyes were kind. "
