by Daria White
Chantelle’s hand carved through her hair, held it back for a moment, and then released her curls. “I never knew that.”
“So… you’ll go out with me?”
What would Lance think? Chantelle blinked as a knot in her stomach worsened. Lance was getting married. He wouldn’t care if she went out with Javier. Why should she hinder her chances? A date wasn’t a marriage proposal.
“Sure.” She agreed. “I can spare some free time while I’m here.”
Javier’s eyes gleamed as if she told him she found a pot of gold. “I’m… I… wow.”
“You didn’t think I would say yes.” She pointed at him. “Did you?”
He laughed. “No, I didn’t. I had this follow up speech in my mind of how you needed to give me a chance and how I would be a gentleman.”
She giggled. “I guess I can still surprise you, Javier.”
“Please do, Chantelle.” His voice turned serious. His chocolate eyes gazed into hers. “I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
Licking her lips, she reached for her frosty glass of pink lemonade. Her body temperature rose to new heights.
***
“You want to talk? What’s going on?” Elise asked.
Grateful her sister-in-law agreed to meet with her, Chantelle rested against the couch inside Elise and Grant’s living room.
“No.” Chantelle heard the sounds of the television in the background, but didn’t pay attention to the movie playing.
“Then why call to ask if I was home?” Elise wondered.
Chantelle covered her face with her hands. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
“Do what?”
“Work with Lance.”
“So you’ll give up this chance with your job? I can understand your reasons, but—”
“He brought up something the last time we talked. Not quite, but he hinted at it. Anyway, it was… hurtful. It was low, even for him. It seems we can’t talk without picking at old wounds.”
Elise bobbed her head. “I understand. I only hate that you feel you need to give up this opportunity.”
“Maybe it’s not meant to be. Perhaps I’m just another pretty face that no one will take seriously.” She hated when Edward’s words came back to her mind.
Elise narrowed her eyes at her. “You honestly think that?”
“That’s what got me in trouble at my last job. Everything blew up in my face and I had to change jobs.”
Elise didn’t respond. Only listened.
“I can’t seem to catch a break.”
“Grant didn’t give me details. He only said you and Lance dated in high school.”
Chantelle tugged at the throw blanket covering her legs. Dated in high school? It was more than that. So much more. “Yeah.”
“You must have cared about him a lot,” Elise said.
Chantelle nodded. “I guess I was the only one.”
“I don’t think that.”
Chantelle eyeballed her sister-in-law. “He called it off.” She rubbed at her shoulders. Her eyes glared at the TV.
“I’m here for you,” Elise said
“Thank you.”
Her sister-in-law tapped her fingers to her lips. “Maybe we need to go shopping.”
Chantelle giggled. “How will shopping help?”
“I know you love heels. Will a new pair help?” Elise grinned.
Chantelle bit her bottom lip only to give into her own smile. “Another pair wouldn’t hurt.”
They laughed together. When her cell rang, her sister-in-law’s grin grew wider.
“Is that him?” Elise asked.
Chantelle gestured for her to be quiet. Walking to the corner of the living room. “Everything okay?”
“You’re not too busy are you?” Lance asked.
“No, why?” She played with the loose tendril on the side of her face.
“There’s something I want you to include in the article, but you must see it for yourself.”
“What’s that?” She asked.
“I’m heading to the community center. Meet me there?”
“Sure.” He hung up, and she turned to Elise. “It looks like I have more work to do.”
Leaving her sister-in-law’s home, Chantelle drove to meet Lance. The community center? Her eyes widened. She recalled reading about the charities he donated to, but she never pictured him being hands on with his projects.
Pulling into the parking lot, she found a space to park despite the many cars. Cutting the engine, she stepped out of the car and paced to the front door. The wind fluttered her clothes because of the draft coming inside with her. Her shoes creaked on the floor, but she entered the front office. She met Lance.
“Hey,” he said.
Chantelle recognized the red hair woman with green eyes. Sadie? The red head’s eyes beamed.
“Chantelle!” She squealed.
Chantelle laughed and hugged her. “It’s good to see you.”
“You too.”
Chantelle looked down, noticing her baby bump. Her muscles felt weak, but she forced a smile. “Congratulations.”
Sadie rubbed her bump. Her fair skin glowed. “Thank you. Christopher and I are excited.”
“How is he?”
“Worried every time I make a noise. I swear he thinks something is wrong if I yawn.” Sadie rolled her eyes, but her smile was bright.
Chantelle giggled, but Sadie only whispered. Her eyes gleamed.
“Lance is amazing. He won’t tell you, but he’s the reason this center gets huge donations. The kids love him.”
Chantelle’s lungs expanded to their fullest through deep, satisfied breaths.
Lance gestured between the two of them. “I hate to break up the reunion, but—”
“Don’t mind me. You two go ahead.” Sadie hugged Chantelle once more. “Great seeing you.”
“You too.” Then Chantelle followed Lance into the hallway. She licked her lips and exhaled. She wouldn’t allow the burning sensation in her stomach to ruin her day. “So... why here? Don’t tell me you volunteer here?” She watched Lance pin a flyer to the bulletin board.
“Why? A business man can’t volunteer?” He chuckled. “No, seriously. I want the public to be aware of this place. Some of these kids have nowhere else to go.”
Chantelle pulled her phone from her purse and opened her notes app. Her mouth quirked with a smile. Sadie was right. He wouldn’t tell her all he had done for the center. “I knew about your charities, but I didn’t know you were this involved.”
“Follow me.”
She did, their shoes squeaking on the floor. “How long have you been volunteering here?”
“A few years. I did some pro bono work. I guess... I got attached to this place.”
“Lots of kids come here?”
Lance shrugged. “Sometimes. We get more in the summer months. My schedule gets hectic, but I make time for them.”
“What all do you do here?”
“Tutoring during the summer months. Lately, I’ve been helping with the sports program. They finally have an indoor court, but some kids prefer the outside, especially for basketball.” He opened the door for her, and they stepped outside to the metal fenced-in basketball court.
Chantelle watched the kids run up and down the court. They had to be no younger than ten years old. The tallest kid looked older, at least sixteen years old. Chantelle’s eyes narrowed on one boy dribbling the ball. He had to be the point guard. He looked at least ten years old, but he had skills. She asked Lance, “Do you know him? The one with the ball?”
Lance bobbed his head. “That’s Zane. Smart kid.”
“You’ve tutored him?” She typed her notes.
“A few times. His brain is like a sponge and he remembers everything he learns.”
The sensation of Chantelle’s heart being heavy amplified. Watching the young boys, she couldn’t help but wonder. If only life had been fair.
“Chantelle?” Lance touched her arm.
Lance looked at the kids and then back at her. He bit his bottom lip as if realizing her discomfort. “Chantelle, I didn’t mean—”
She raised a hand to stop him. “Don’t worry about it. I’m fine.”
“I don’t think you are.”
“I am.” She didn’t intend to sound rude, but she didn’t want to talk about it. Not with him. “I’ll see you later.”
***
The following day Chantelle stood inside the floral shop, waiting for her appointment with Lance. She inhaled fresh flowers and greenery, while feeling the powdery smoothness of a rose petal. She spotted the staging area for creating arrangements such as spools of ribbon, lace and wire, green florist tape, flower wrap, along with crystal vases, and spray glitter. A small rack of blank cards weren’t too far behind for those that wanted to personalize their flowers with notes.
She checked her phone for the time. Meetings swamped Lance’s mornings and lunch time was best for this week. Where was he?
The simple question carried so much weight. Where was he ten years ago? Chantelle shook her head. He could have called her. He didn’t. He could have come after her. No. He stayed away.
Getting accepted into the University of Houston had been a dream for Chantelle, but she couldn’t leave without saying goodbye to Lance—no matter how angry she was at him.
Knocking on the mansion door, Glenda, the family cook had answered the door.
“Chantelle? What are you doing here?” She had asked.
“I was um... looking for Lance.” Chantelle had backed away. She returned to her car.
To her surprise, Lance found her at their usual spot. Chantelle had been sitting on the hood of her car.
“I thought you might be here,” he had said.
She didn’t respond. They said what they needed to already. Their parents already weighed in on their decision.
“Chantelle, I’ve been thinking.” He had inched closer.
A tear spilled down her cheek. No response.
“I think I know how to fix it. It’s crazy, but I think we can do it. Together.” He had reached into his back pocket. Chantelle’s eyes had widened.
Now, as she stood in Hilda’s Floral Arrangements, it grated on her nerves. Some idea. It didn’t solve their problems. They meant it to remedy their poor judgement. No such luck.
“You’ve been waiting long?” Lance asked.
Chantelle didn’t even hear the door chime at his arrival. She must have tuned out while remembering their high school years. The year they fell in love. The year their world shattered.
“Not too long.” She cleared her throat. “Is everything alright?”
“They’ve instructed me to find bird of paradise. Is that even a flower?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.
Chantelle giggled. She might as well enjoy the happier moments. “Yes, it is.”
“Well, let’s ask Hilda if she carries that, or if they’ll be here in time if we order it.”
She followed him to the counter, ignoring the fresh scent of his cologne as he brushed past her. Where did that come from? “Sure.” Did her voice croak?
“Hilda, make my day and tell me you sell bird of paradise.” Lance rested his elbows on the front counter.
“We sure do. When do you need them?”
“June 29th.”
Hilda’s arched eyebrows rose against her smooth olive skin. “Well… that’s short notice, but I think we can make an exception for Delta Height’s most eligible bachelor.”
Chantelle noticed his jaw flinch.
“Thank you for making the time to work with me,” he said.
“I could have sworn that you two would be the ones getting married,” Hilda said as she typed on her computer. “Although, I will say, Andrea Williams is quite a catch for you. I’ve always wanted that smooth hair like hers. Do you know what type of hair products she uses?”
Lance’s mouth fell open.
“I don’t know if she’s disclosed that information, Hilda,” Chantelle said. “Besides, you know Lance and I were a long time ago.” Only a select group of people in town knew the full story.
Hilda shrugged. “I can’t wait to meet her. I hope she’s nice since not all famous people are.”
Chantelle nudged Lance away from the counter. “Thanks so much for your help, Hilda.”
She waved, flashing her bright smile. “My pleasure.”
By the time they made it outside her shop, Chantelle heard Lance dispel a deep breath. He ran his hand down the back of his head.
“Are you alright?” She asked.
“Yeah, I just forgot how… involved this town is.”
“You mean nosy.”
He chuckled. “You said it, not me.”
“Is there somewhere we can go so we can continue?” Chantelle held up her tablet.
“Go ahead.”
“Why did you wait to plan this wedding? Have schedules been that big of an issue?”
“We’re working on that. I know it looks like we’re planning this last minute, but Andrea picked the date that she was available. My mother’s been scrambling ever since. Now she wants me involved since Andrea’s not here.” He stared at her. “Don’t print that.”
She nodded. “I won’t.”
A mirthless laugh escaped Lance’s lips. “I’m surprised you didn’t take notes in there.” He gestured at Hilda’s shop. “With what she said, you should have enough to have the entire town talking.”
She rubbed at her eyebrow, wanting to blot out Hilda’s comment on Chantelle marrying Lance instead of Andrea. The thought only upset her stomach.
“The things people say,” Lance said.
“What?” Chantelle released a breath. Why did the comment make her lungs constrict?
Lance chuckled. “Hilda talking about… us.”
He couldn’t be serious. Not after everything they had been through. The trauma she’d suffered. Was it all a joke to him now? “Don’t do that.”
“Do what? We’ve avoided the subject long enough, don’t you think?” His voice was steady.
“How can you... are you kidding me?”
“What? What did I say?”
She huffed. “I can’t believe you would stoop that low. Are you brushing it off as if it meant nothing to you?”
His eyebrows shot up. “Meant nothing to me? Are you kidding? Chantelle, I—”
“You’re throwing it back in my face, aren’t you?” No point in holding back now. A painful tightness increased in her throat. Wasn’t she over it? Chantelle thought she made progress. Not if she dashed out of the community center after seeing the children play. Not after Lance laughed at their relationship as if it had been a mistake. Spots flashed in her vision.
Lance drew closer. He looked pained, but he didn’t lose eye contact with her. “Don’t you dare. Don’t stand here and tell me I didn’t care.”
She pointed at him. “I thought you would at least—”
“At least what? Come running after you?” He bit his lip as if he realized his slip up.
“All this time.” Her bottom lip trembled. She smoothed the front of her blouse. “I’m glad I know now. For the first time in my life, I know the truth.”
Lance’s eyes softened. He touched her arm. “Come on, let me—”
She jerked away as if his touch singed her skin. “Leave me alone. Just leave me alone!” She marched off in her heels down the sidewalk, not caring to hear another word he had to say.
Chapter 13
Lance tapped his pen on his desk, staring at the bamboo plant in the corner of his office. He couldn’t concentrate on his work. He’d been sitting in his comfortable chair for almost an hour with no progress. Should he call it a day and go home? Blowing out his cheeks, his eyes diverted to the landscape view outside the window.
The sun’s hue dimmed from bright yellow to a deepe
r gold as it sank below the horizon. Shadows lengthened and built, and shiny surfaces glowed with light. He wouldn’t trade the sight of Delta Heights’ sunset for any larger city in the world. Would Andrea enjoy the sight as much as he did? Would his gorgeous model appreciate the simple things?
Uncrossing his legs and taking his feet off the desk, Lance adjusted in his seat. Something had to give. He couldn’t pull off the wedding plans without his bride to be. Then his phone rang on his desk. Grabbing his cell, he saw her name. Why did his breath hitch? Why did his heart palpitate?”
He answered. “Hello?”
“Hi,” Chantelle said.
Lance swallowed. “I didn’t think I’d be hearing from you so soon.”
“I wasn’t going to call, but giving someone the silent treatment never works. Besides, I’ve made too much progress to backtrack now. So...”
Lance’s fingers tingled in anticipation.
“I’m sorry.”
He pushed away from his wooden desk and stood to his feet. He paced to the window and leaned against the frame. “No. I’m sorry.”
It wasn’t the first time he said those words to her. He had said them that night on their favorite country road. He had found Chantelle sitting on the hood of her car. Lance tapped the ring box in his pocket.
Was it a good idea to get married at eighteen? He didn’t care. He wanted to make things right. He wouldn’t abandon Chantelle. Not her or their baby.
“What are you doing?” She had asked.
“Marry me?”
She shook her head. “That’s not the way to solve this.” She jumped to her feet. Then she wiped her face.
Lance straightened to stand and walked closer. “I’m not giving our baby up for adoption. I don’t care what my parents say.”
“Think about it. How are we going to support ourselves, Lance? We’re supposed to be going to college. A baby will—”
He wrapped his arm around her waist. “We’ll figure it out. I want you, Chantelle. I don’t care if they think we’re too young.”
He had meant those words. Lance could kick himself for hurting her—again. He had to make things right. Refocusing on his present conversation, Lance continued. “I hope you believe me, Chantelle.”
She sighed. “Thank you. I believe you, but I shouldn’t have snapped.”
