Page 70 of Bittersweet Legacy

I couldn't blame her, she didn't know Caleb and I were playing a part for the day, she didn't know there were no feelings there, no tenderness – well at least on his part because me? I scarily had to admit that right now I wasn't sure I was really pretending.

“Sure, you take care,” she added before walking into the backroom again.

Caleb kept his eyes locked on the way she disappeared; his eyes narrowing to slits.

I didn’t want him to overthink it. “Let’s go.”

He finally shrugged as if he was letting go of his internal debate and we strolled hand in hand to the coffee van by the Ferris wheel.

“Come on,” Caleb said, pointing at the wheel. “Let’s make it the full dating experience.”

“Okay…” I was starting to suspect he might be enjoying this as much as me.

I looked out as the Ferris wheel started its ascent, the view over the sea was absolutely beautiful as the cold, unforgiving sun reflected on the gentle waves. I was grateful for the glass windows protecting us from the wind.

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, still looking out as the wheel continued its slow climb. When we reached the top, the wheel stopped.

I let out a choked laugh because I was not really comfortable with the height, but the view was absolutely mesmerizing.

“I’ve never seen the sea before,” I whispered, my nose glued to the window.

“Never?”

I shook my head. “No, my dad… uncle,” I sighed, calling Luke ‘uncle’ felt so unnatural. “We never had much money, so we never went anywhere during the holidays.” I chuckled. “My summers were spent on the football pitch as the water girl as my- Luke trained summer camps.” I sighed. “It’s lucky the wheel stopped here.”

“Luck…” he laughed. “That’s what you call $200.”

I turned toward him, startled by the admission. “You did this?”

He arched his eyebrows. “Don't look so surprised, I’m nothing but calculating and you know that.”

I chuckled. “Yes, but this is – nice, romantic.” I frowned. “I just didn’t think you had it in you.”

He shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck. “We’ve got the wheel all to ourselves for the next 15 minutes, so enjoy the view,” he added, gesturing toward the horizon.

I shook my head turning toward him on the seat. “No, let’s talk.” I wanted to ask him why he hated me, why he was so broken when he seemed to have the dream life from the magazines, why he shied away from any kind and loving gesture but I knew I couldn’t, they were questions for Caleb Astor – a boy who would never open up to me.

“Why do you like Angels so much?”

I was startled by his question and looked down at my half-drunk cup of hot cocoa. I hadn't known he noticed that.

“It’s stupid.”

He shrugged. “Maybe it is, but we established before we’re not above this. Come on, tell me.”

“Will you answer a personal question too, then?”

“Depends on the question.”

I like this honest side of him. “It will be about Theo.”

He looked away, his posture turning rigid, but after a few seconds he turned toward me, relaxed again. “Okay.”

I looked heavenward, this was one of my best-kept secrets, I was not even sure Luke knew why I was so obsessed.

“Well you see my – Luke told me my mother died at birth.”

“Okay…” he trailed off, his whole posture radiating disapproval. “That’s quite a weight to put on a kid but go on.”

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