My Secret Date Night Cheat

I never thought I'd be in this position. As a stay-at-home parent who's been dating casually for a few months now, every date feels like such a big deal. We've never really clicked enough to make things exclusive yet, but it’s starting to feel frustratingly routine. So last week when we had our usual dinner and movie night, I decided to slip away while he went to the bathroom. I sneaked out of the house and headed straight for a local bar where an old friend from college was working behind the counter. We hadn't seen each other in years, but it felt so natural to catch up with her over drinks and then spend hours chatting as if no time had passed at all. The guilt is overwhelming now that I'm home, wondering what this means for my relationship and how much longer I can keep this a secret.