When Love Is a Lie (Whitney and Damian) novel Chapter 258

Whitney turned and saw Caleb. "Hey, Caleb."

He had once asked her to call him "Cal", but she'd always thought it sounded too intimate.

"Do you have time for coffee?" Caleb paused, then smiled faintly.

"Sure, give me a minute." Whitney discussed the remaining details with the construction manager and followed Caleb to a café near Seabourke University.

"I heard you're marrying Noel?" Caleb asked once they had ordered and sat down. He looked at her with an earnest gaze, as though hearing it from her was the only way he could believe it.

Whitney nodded with a smile. "Yeah, you have to come to the wedding."

It wasn't that she didn't notice Caleb's feelings for her, but she just couldn't return them. She didn't want to hurt someone who had always been kind to her. All she could do was avoid any misunderstandings.

A flash of disappointment crossed Caleb's eyes, mixed with a subtle reluctance to let go. He looked at Whitney and asked, "If it had been me you met first, would you—"

"Here you are," Noel said, suddenly cutting into the conversation.

Whitney jumped in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"I talked to Donald about the project before I went to the construction site to find you. They told me you were with a man," Noel said as he sat beside her, glancing briefly at Caleb.

He added, "I guessed it was Caleb. I know he likes to come here, so I thought I'd check."

Yet, his tone made it seem like he meant something else. Whitney raised an eyebrow, unsure how to react.

Noel ruffled her hair. "This café has your favorite coconut caramel candy from when you were little. I had them buy all of it and bring it back. You can eat it whenever you like."

With Caleb still sitting across from them, Noel's affectionate behavior left Whitney shy and uncomfortable.

"You two knew each other when you were kids?" Caleb asked, clearly surprised.

"Yeah, I used to go to the Howard residence to play when I was little," Whitney replied. "What were you going to ask me earlier?"

Caleb looked at Whitney, disappointment and regret flashing in his eyes. When he turned away, he noticed Noel watching him closely.

"It's nothing," Caleb said, forcing a smile. "Congrats to both of you. I'll definitely come to the wedding."

With that, Caleb stood and left.

Whitney turned to Noel, speechless. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"