Page 17

AMELIA

As we make our way to the pier, we stop to take in the rippling blue water. The sun is shining, and a warm breeze carries the scent of salt from the ocean and fried food from the boardwalk vendors. The funnel cake is calling my name.

It’s our first official date as a fake couple. Time to work my magic.

“Take a photo and post it to your story,” I say, shielding my eyes from the sun as I glance up at Caleb.

He lifts his phone, aiming it toward me. “Smile, pretty girl.”

“Not of me,” I laugh, nudging his arm. “Of the view.”

“You’re part of my view.”

I roll my eyes and guide his phone toward the ocean with a finger. “Just take it.”

He grins, snaps the photo, and uploads it.

The paparazzi should see that in no time. Now it’s time for important business while we wait.

“Let’s get funnel cake,” I announce, striding toward a vendor.

“Is that all you want?” Caleb asks, catching up.

I nod, my mouth watering already. I can almost taste the powdered sugar on the tip of my tongue.

“Two funnel cakes, please,” he says, sliding his card into the reader.

A few minutes later, we’re handed perfectly golden cakes dusted with sugar. We thank the older man and take a seat on a nearby bench.

As always, Caleb eats like a caveman. Three bites in, and his cake is nearly gone. He’s basically a vacuum.

“Why do you always eat like it’s your last meal?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” He leans down, taking another monstrous bite.

“You eat like you’re afraid I’ll steal it.”

“Well, are you?” He tilts his head.

“I wouldn’t even get the chance.”

“My point exactly.”

I chuckle, taking another bite with a satisfied hum.“Mmm.”

Caleb’s gaze lingers on me, then flickers down to my mouth. He reaches over and brushes a crumb from the corner of my lips.

I blink at him for a moment, then glance around the pier, and over my shoulder. Paparazzi.

“Good call.”

His brows pull together. “Huh?”

I jerk my chin toward the photographers, tearing another piece of funnel cake. “Bet it looked great from their angle.”

He clears his throat, nodding. “Right. Yeah.”

“Smart.” I pop another piece into my mouth.

After we finish eating, we stroll along the pier. I cast a quick look back and see the paparazzi still trailing, keeping a respectful distance. I step a little closer to Caleb.

“Hold my hand.”

He doesn’t hesitate. His fingers slide between mine, and I burst out laughing. We’ve never held hands like this before. It’s weird.

Caleb groans, though there’s a hint of amusement in his voice. “Why are you laughing?”

“Sorry. This feels odd.” I try to smother a giggle and fail. “Don’t look at me.”

He rolls his eyes but tugs me closer, our hands swinging between us.

That’s when I see it. The ice cream shop Maya told me about, with the photo booth.

My eyes widen. “Come on,” I say, dragging him along.

When we get there, I yank the curtains back and pull him inside. A few murmurs float from outside, probably fans.

The booth is cramped. Our shoulders and knees knock together as we sit, his warmth bleeding into mine.

The machine swallows my five-dollar bill and I scroll through the film options until I land on one with tiny red hearts framing it. “This one?”

Caleb leans in, close enough I can feel the brush of his breath. “I like it.”

I tap the screen and the countdown begins.

Five

“Cheeks together,” I say.

He leans in, squishing his cheek to mine and I laugh.

Four

“Laughing again, huh?”

Three

I cup his jaw, stroking his chin. “It’s hard not to.”

Two

“Say cheese,” he murmurs, smiling against my skin.

One

“Cheese.” We laugh in unison.

SNAP.

“Next one.” I say hesitantly. “Maybe you kiss my cheek?”

Caleb straightens, nodding. “I…yeah, I can do that.”

The countdown starts again. I keep my eyes on the camera, my smile frozen in place. Caleb leans in, closing his eyes, then gently presses his lips against my cheek.

My skin tingles.

SNAP.

One more to go. I need the last one to be perfect and savable for socials. I unzip my purse and pull out a tube of red lipstick I brought just for this.

Caleb watches as I swipe the color on. I cup his jaw again, my fingers pressing into the sharp lines of his face.

“My turn,” I whisper.

The countdown ticks.

I kiss his cheek, leaving a perfect red stain.

SNAP.

Then the machine spits out the strip, and he pulls it free, staring at the four frames quietly.

“Which one’s your favorite?” I ask.

He holds the corner of the strip, tapping the last photo.

I watch as he pulls out his phone, takes a photo of the strip in his hands, and posts it to his feed just like we planned.

No warning, no caption, a simple hard launch.

After Caleb drops me off, I freshen up and toss a pizza in the oven…again. I really gotta learn how to cook some adobo or something.

My phone lights up and starts ringing. Mom.

Oh shoot. I forgot to tell her about Caleb.

I answer, and her voice blares straight into my ear, making me squint an eye.

“You two are dating? Why the hell didn’t you tell me anak?” She squeals. “Finally!”

My mom’s always adored him. When we were teens, she was always dropping hints about how we’d end up together someday. I shut that idea down real fast. He’s my best friend and that’s all he’ll ever be. I don’t know why she was so convinced otherwise.

“Mom, I promise you it’s not that big of a deal.” I scratch the side of my temple, leaning against the counter. “Trust me.”

“Not a big deal? I beg to differ, young lady.” Her voice sharpens. “Guess you two are next? I should start planning your wedding now!”

Oh dear lord.

“Listen to me, Mom! Do not do that. This is so new for us. Marriage isn’t even in the cards.”

At all.

“I’m just glad those two finally got it through their thick skulls,” my dad’s deep voice filters in from the background. “She keeps saying she doesn't want another guy in her life but look at her now...all happy and shit.”

“Hi, Dad. And I can hear you perfectly clear, by the way!” I groan.

“Good,” he says flatly.

“Where do you want to get married?!” my mom jumps back in. Let’s just say, I figured out what I want my future wedding dress to look like by the time we hang up.

For a definitely nonexistent wedding.

August 8th

We make it to Pacific Park for our second fake date, the air fills with screams, laughter, and the chiming bells of people winning those prizes I could never win growing up.

“You know the drill, Hayes.”

“That I do.” He grins, already pulling out his phone to snap a photo of the huge sign looming over us.

Then I reach for his free hand, threading my fingers through his. He gives a gentle squeeze and leads us through the crowd.

The looks come slowly at first, people trying to be discreet by pointing and whispering.

Caleb lifts our joined hands and presses little kisses to the back of mine. My heart jumpstarts at the unexpected contact before I stifle a laugh.

He glances down at me, rolling his eyes. “Amelia, not again.”

“What!”

He gives me a stern look. “How are we supposed to sell being a couple, if you keep laughing every time I do something remotely romantic?”

I take a deep breath, pressing my lips together. “You’re totally right. Sorry.”

“I can’t be that bad of a fake boyfriend, right?” Caleb raises a brow, half-amused, half-challenging.

I shake my head, fighting another smile. “No, definitely not. I promise, I’ll be serious.”

I bury my face into his arm, laughing into the fabric of his sleeve so he can’t see me cracking up.

“You’re annoying, have I ever told you that?” he mutters, but the grin on his face gives him away. He keeps walking, steering us toward the balloon burst game.

“I’m only annoying to people who can’t handle me.”

He stops, squeezes my hand, and suddenly leans in…way too close.

My pulse jitters as he tilts his head, dipping toward me like he’s about to kiss me right here, in front of everyone.

What the hell is he about to do? We agreed to PDA but we never talked about doing this .

His lips hover over mine before he shifts whispering into my ear instead. “I can handle you just fine.”

Then he pulls me closer, his hand settling on my waist. I gasp, heart pounding so hard I swear I can feel it in my throat.

Whispers from behind me draw my attention, snapping me back in the moment.

“Oh my god that’s Caleb Hayes.”

“Wait, they’re so cute.”

“That’s his new girlfriend!”

“We look good together,” he says with a faint grin as we approach the stand.

“Caleb Hayes! Big fan,” the man lights up, sporting a huge red-and-gold top hat as he hands him three weighted bags. “Game’s all yours. Three pops and you win the big bear.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.” Caleb hands over a ten-dollar bill.

I spot the gigantic blue bear and suddenly have the need to bring it home with me. “That’s so cute.”

I pull my phone out, snapping a few photos.

“This one’s for my beautiful girl over there,” Caleb says, throwing me a wink before tossing the first bag.

POP.

The balloon bursts perfectly.

POP. POP.

The bell rings, and the man cheers. “And we have a winner!”

He pulls the bear off the wall and hands it to Caleb, who turns and gently settles it in my arms. “For you.”

“This is gigantic.” I laugh, cuddling the bear close. “I love it, thanks.”

“Of course.” He pinches my chin, intertwining our hands again and thanks the man with a nod.

We stroll through the park, playing more games, snapping more photos, and stopping every ten minutes as fans swarm.

Word got around that we’re here because the crowd keeps on growing.

And once again, the way Caleb interacts with his fans is so admirable. His energy never fades. He thanks each person, gives handshakes, and signs autographs, giving each person his undivided attention.

His latest post is full of positive comments, not one Vanessa mention in sight.

Even Driftwear commented with heart eyes and called us a perfect couple .

Everything is going according to plan.