Page 68 of Bittersweet Legacy

I looked at him with a small smile. I knew it was not real but he was so good at it, the little attentions, the tenderness – I could get used to this so easily, get used to him.

She turned to me with a dimpled smile that was so similar to Ben’s. “Certainly, what’s your size? Six?”

I was quite surprised by the spot-on assessment. “How?”

She laughed. “It’s my job.” She pointed to the back of the store. “I’ll go to the back and check if I have the size, you can continue browsing if you want or wait by the changing rooms.” She pointed in the other direction where the nightwear was and if you have any questions in the meantime don't hesitate to speak to Ling at the till.”

I nodded, my heart pounding even harder in my chest, it was so loud for me I couldn’t believe that Caleb couldn’t hear it.

“I'll be waiting by the changing room,” I replied, using the opportunity to let go of Caleb’s hand and point to the changing room too. I had a tendency to get sweaty palms when I was stressed or anxious and as the last remaining elements of my more-than-clumsy plan unfolded, my stress level was off the charts, I didn’t need to give Caleb any suspicion.

“Want to look at anything else while you wait?” Caleb asked as I bounced on my feet in front of the wooden changing room door.

I shook my head crossing my arms – “no, I’m good.”

He arched his eyebrows “Really?!” He got his wallet out of his pocket and waved it in front of me. “My treat.”

I smiled a little as guilt started to mix with my apprehension. “No, it’s okay, thank you though.”

He shrugged, looking around. “Suit yourself. I just didn’t think a woman would ever refuse free clothes.”

“I’m not like the other women, you know.” I replied, and I didn’t mean for my statement to be so loaded, but the way he detailed me with a serious look on his face showed me that it meant a lot and I was grateful Alice appeared before things took a path I didn’t want to take.

“Hey, sorry for the delay, but we don’t have it in red in your size but we’ve got brown if you want.”

I had to do my best to school my features and stop my disgusted pout. I was already not a fan of brown to start with but this one was probably the ugliest brown in history.

“Perfect! I’ll go try it now.”

Caleb’s eyes narrowed with suspicion, but I looked down at the skirtall to avoid him reading into it.

I changed into the ugly thing and couldn’t help but grimace looking at myself in the floor-length mirror. The bad lighting didn’t help how awful it looked.

I closed my eyes, holding the note tightly in my hand. I took a couple of calming breaths, I needed to talk to Alice calmly enough – if I was flustered or agitated I’d be less likely to have her on my side.

“Cal, I’ve got a problem with the dress it’s stuck - can you call Alice please?”

“Alice? Just open the door, I'll help you.”

“No!” I yelped and bit my lip at the urgency of my tone - That was a stupid slip-up. “No please Cal, it’s a little embarrassing, call her please.”

He was silent for a couple of seconds and I half expected him to demand I opened the door or to see him slip underneath the giant gap- I was sure it was what normal Caleb Astor would have done – he was not the kind of man you said no to.

He sighed in frustration. “Okay just give me a sec.”

Within a minute there was a little tap on the door - I didn’t even need her to talk to know it wasn’t Caleb - it lacked the commanding hue that followed every action.

I opened the door a little just to let her in.

She frowned at my outfit. “I don’t –”

I rested my forefinger against my lips. “Look it’s stuck right there.” I said extending her the piece of paper.

She frowned at the paper not taking it. “I don’t understand.”

Damn it girl, don’t ruin this for me!“Here look, just pull it down.” I nudged the paper toward her. “Please.” I mouthed

“Okay…” she took a step closer and finally took the piece of paper from me. She read it quickly and arched a questioning eyebrow at me. “How?” She whispered.

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