Rejected: A love story-Chapter 54: The fair

Fiona POV

The car slowed to a stop near the entrance.The lights were already visible from a distance, scattered and bright, music drifting faintly through the open windows. Leo pressed his face to the glass, his eyes wide, taking everything in.

Nathan stepped out first, then opened the door for Leo. I followed, smoothing my jacket as I stood. His mouth fell open.

"Whoa..." he breathed.

I smiled at his reaction. That alone made the lie worth it.

Caleb parked a short distance behind us and got out, glancing around like he wasn’t sure whether to be impressed or annoyed. Probably both.

"Okay," he said. "This better be good."

Before I could answer, Ella waved from near the entrance, tickets in her hand.

The second her eyes met mine, relief washed over her face.

"You made it," she said.

"I did," I smiled. "Barely."

She laughed softly, then her gaze shifted to Caleb. They both stood still just for a second—but it was enough.

"Hi," Ella said, a little too quickly.

"Hey," Caleb replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "It’s... been a while."

"Yeah," she nodded. "It has."

Neither of them moved closer. Neither stepped away either. Just stood there, awkward and quiet, like two people who had a history they didn’t quite know what to do with anymore.

Leo tugged on my sleeve. "Who’s she?"

I crouched beside him. "This is my friend, Ella."

Ella smiled at him immediately. "Hi."

Leo studied her seriously for a moment, then smiled back. "Hi."

Caleb cleared his throat. "So... fair?"

"Fair," Ella said, grateful for the escape.

We walked in together, Leo’s excitement grew with every step. He pointed at everything—rides, lights, people, food stands—asking questions faster than anyone could answer them.

Nathan stayed close to him, listening, responding when he could, his hand resting protectively on Leo’s shoulder more than once.

I caught him watching Leo when he thought no one noticed. Caleb drifted closer to Ella as we walked.

"So," he said, trying for casual, "Fiona lied to us that you had a stomach issue... you two were in this weren’t you?"

She smiled shyly. "I couldn’t resist when she texted me?"

He laughed quietly. "Fair." He said then paused.

"You look good," he added, softer this time.

Ella tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You too."

I pretended not to notice the way they kept stealing glances at each other.

Leo suddenly stopped walking. "Can we play a game?"

Nathan looked down at him. "Which one?"

"That one," Leo said, pointing excitedly.

Nathan hesitated for half a second.

"Alright."

Leo’s face lit up. "Really?"

"Yes," Nathan said. "But if I win, I keep the prize."

"That’s not fair," Leo protested.

Nathan smirked. "Life isn’t."

I smiled. They walked ahead together, Leo chattering nonstop while Nathan listened.

Ella leaned closer to me. "He’s different tonight."

"I know," I said softly.

Caleb joined us again, holding two cups. "Drinks?"

Ella took one. "Thanks."

Their fingers brushed, but both of them pretended not to notice. Let me describe that as public show of affection... Trying to make me jealous.

I watched Nathan line up the game, Leo standing beside him, serious and focused like it mattered more than anything.

Nathan bent slightly to Leo’s level. "Watch closely."

"I am," Leo said. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Nathan took the shot but he missed.

Leo gasped. "Daddy!"

Nathan blinked. "That... was intentional."

Leo laughed so hard he nearly fell over. And in that moment, watching them, something settled inside me. I was doing the right thing.

By the time I turned to look at my side, Ella and Caleb were nowhere to be found.

I noticed it when I turned around to say something and realized they weren’t behind us anymore. I scanned the crowd once, then again.

"Did they disappear?" I muttered.

Nathan glanced around briefly. "Looks like it."

Before I could respond, Leo tugged on Nathan’s hand, eyes fixed on something ahead.

"Daddy," he said. "The roller coaster."

I followed his gaze. It was big, fast and loud.

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "That one?"

"Yes!" Leo nodded eagerly. "Can we?"

I crouched slightly so I was eye-level with him. "We just ate dinner, remember? Riding that now might make you feel sick."

His shoulders drooped instantly. "Oh..."

"I wish we could," he added softly.

Nathan stepped in before the disappointment could sink too deep. "We can come back another time."

Leo looked up at him. "You promise?"

"I promise."

That seemed to help. Leo nodded, then looked around again. "What else can we do?"

I pointed toward a slower ride nearby. "How about that one?"

He considered it for a moment, then smiled. "Okay."

As they walked ahead, I pulled out my phone again, typing quickly.

Where did you disappear to?

But I got no reply. I frowned, glancing around once more.

Nathan noticed. "They’re fine."

"You think so?"

"They’re adults," he said calmly. "Let them be."

I hesitated, then nodded. He was right. I slipped my phone back into my pocket and focused on the moment.

The ride was slow, almost silly, but Leo loved it. He laughed openly, waving at people we passed. Nathan sat beside him, relaxed in a way I hadn’t seen before, responding to Leo’s endless commentary with quiet amusement.

When it ended, Leo hopped off, energized.

"I’m hungry," he announced.

Nathan chuckled. "Already?"

"Ice cream!" Leo said quickly.

That earned a smile from both of us, so we stopped at a stand nearby.

"What’s your favorite?" Nathan asked him.

Leo thought hard. "Chocolate."

"Good choice," Nathan said.

I turned to him excitedly. "I want two! One strawberry and vanilla."

He looked at me. "Two?"

"Yes," I nodded seriously.

He smiled. "Alright."

He paid, handed Leo his ice cream, then gave me mine.

As we walked, Leo glanced at Nathan. "Daddy, why didn’t you get one?"

"I don’t like sweets."

Leo frowned like he didn’t believe him. "Everyone likes sweets."

Nathan shrugged. "Not me."

Leo rushed through his ice cream, then suddenly stopped moving.

"I have to pee."

Nathan immediately looked around. "Bathroom’s over there."

"I can go by myself," Leo said confidently.

Nathan hesitated. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Leo nodded. "I’m not a baby."

Nathan exhaled, then nodded. "Alright. I’ll wait right here."

Leo ran off. I took a bite of my ice cream, smiling. "You sure you don’t want to try?"

He glanced at it. "You’re enjoying it a little too much."

"It’s good," I insisted. I held it out toward him. "Just a taste."

He leaned in. Instead of tasting it, he kissed me. Right on the mouth! It wasn’t slow but it was just enough to steal my breath.

Then he pulled back like nothing happened.

"Good taste," he said calmly.

I stood there, frozen, my heart racing, the ice cream began melting slightly in my hand.

He watched me for a second, amused.

Are you good?" he asked.

I opened my mouth but nothing came out. And he smiled like he knew exactly what he’d just done to me.