by Daria White
“I think Douglas might convince her.” Chantelle replied.
“It is nice. He loves Mom.”
Chantelle leaned against the counter. “He does, huh?”
“You didn’t think so?”
“Did you? I want Mom to be happy, but I never pictured her remarrying.”
Grant sighed. “I didn’t give Douglas a chance when I first met him, but he’s good for Mom. She deserves that.”
Chantelle squinted her eyes at him. “Are you getting sentimental on me?”
He winked at her. “Don’t tell my wife.”
“When will I be an auntie?” She walked over and nudged his shoulder.
“Sooner than you think.” Grant wiggled his eyebrows.
“Elise is pregnant?” Chantelle smiled despite her ribs squeezing tight. She rubbed at her neck, attempting to push away her painful thoughts. She would be happy for her brother and sister-in-law, and she would love their child as her own. She’d get another chance to be a mother. She still had hope for the future.
Grant continued. “We haven’t told Mom yet. We thought if we announced it tonight, she’ll be so excited that she’ll agree with this cruise with Douglas.”
“Sneaky.” Chantelle pointed at him.
Her brother sighed. “I hope I’m ready for this.”
She patted his arm. “You'll be great. I’ll babysit.”
“You can’t do that from Chicago.” He pointed out.
“I’ll visit as often as I can.”
He nudged her back. “You better.”
Chantelle’s chin dropped. Babysit? At least she had time to get used to the idea. How did ten years still feel like it happened yesterday? She rolled her shoulders back.
“You okay?” Her brother asked.
She bobbed her head.
A tsk sound escaped his mouth. Grant shook his head slightly. “I should have known.”
“What?” She faced him.
“That this... may be hard on you.”
She reassured him, placing a hand on his arm. “I’m okay, Grant. It did bring up... some tough memories, but I’m fine.”
“I guess I never told you.”
“Told me what?”
He paused slicing the garlic bread. “I was mad about everything that happened. I hated that you lost the baby, but I blamed you and Lance for running off and getting married.”
Chantelle leaned against the counter. Her chest heaved. “I blamed myself for letting things go too far.”
“He should have stayed.” Grant’s expression looked pinched.
“He thought it was best.” She twiddled her thumbs.
“I was there, Chantelle. After you left, he wasn’t the same. I’ve never seen a guy that broken up over a girl.”
Chantelle wouldn’t let herself dare hope that Lance still cared. She had to protect herself. She wouldn’t let her heart get broken again. “That was then.”
Grant gave her a side hug. “I know. I’m glad you’re both doing better.”
She leaned into his embrace. “Me too.”
“I have the dessert.” Elise announced. A frosted cake on a silver platter rested in her hands. She placed it on the kitchen table and lit the candles. Her sister-in-law clapped. “We should have one of these for our anniversary. Maybe we should go on a cruise. Or better yet, fly out to Hawaii.”
“You’re getting ideas, aren’t you?” Grant asked.
“You’re romantic and creative—when you want to be. I’m only making suggestions.” Elise looked up at him. Her eyes glowed.
“I’m working on it.” He sliced the last piece of garlic bread. Elise kissed his cheek.
“The DVDs were great,” her sister-in-law said.
“DVDs?” Chantelle asked.
“She’s obsessed with the Marvel movies, especially Black Panther,” Grant said.
“I see.” Chantelle giggled.
Elise held a hand to her mouth. Then her hand shifted to her stomach.
Grant touched her shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“I think it’s the garlic,” she replied. “I’ll be fine. Morning sickness lasts all day, I think.” Then her eyes bugged as she made eye contact with Chantelle.
Grant smiled. “She knows, Babe.”
Chantelle walked over and hugged her sister-in-law.
“I wanted to tell you sooner, but we decided to wait,” Elise said.
Chantelle bounced on her toes. “I can’t wait to be an auntie!” She truly did.
Elise held a finger to her lips. “Not so loud. We haven’t told your mother yet.”
“Here she comes,” Douglas said. He then pivoted to face Chantelle’s mother, whose eyes widened at the sight of dinner and candlelight in her kitchen.
“What’s all this?” Her mother asked, placing a hand to her chest.
Douglas gave her a kiss and then pulled out a chair for her at the table. “I have a surprise for you and the kids helped.”
Her mother squinted her eyes. “What are you all up to?”
Douglas handed her a brochure. “Surprise!”
Chantelle’s mother read over the glossy paper in her hand. “A cruise?”
“I thought we could have a getaway,” Douglas said.
“Dinner’s ready.” Chantelle brought over the lasagna dish. Grant and Elise followed with the garlic bread and cake.
“And that’s not all,” Elise said.
Grant stood behind her and laced his fingers with hers across his wife’s stomach. “We’re pregnant.”
“What?” Her mother exclaimed. Her chair scraped against the floor as she bolted to her feet. She embraced Elise, and then Grant, with her eyes shimmering with tears.
Chantelle stood off to the side as she watched the heartfelt exchange.
“Thank you for cooking,” Douglas said to her.
“You’re welcome, and congrats to you too.”
“Me?” He raised an eyebrow.
“You’re going to be a grandfather.” Chantelle took his hand and kissed his cheek.
Douglas bobbed his head, his eyes filled with affection. “Thank you, Chantelle.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiled as her phone buzzed in her back pocket. “Excuse me. I’ll be right back.” She stepped into the living room, still hearing the cheerful commotion in her mother’s kitchen. Lance’s name flashed on her screen. Swallowing, Chantelle answered.
Lance asked. “You aren’t too busy are you?”
“Is something wrong?” She sat on the couch and crossed her legs.
“I need you to meet me at our spot.”
“What’s wrong, Lance?” Their spot?
“Think of it as an exclusive for your article,” he said.
“Okay. I’ll see you soon.”
He hung up, and she scurried to her room to check her appearance. What did that matter? She rolled her eyes and grabbed her rental car keys.
“Chantelle?” Her mother stopped her at the door.
“Work, Mom. I’ll be back.”
“Is everything okay?” Her mother asked.
“I’ll find out tonight.” She kissed her mother’s cheek and dashed out the door.
***
Lance paced the country road. Satellites blinked overhead and airplanes flew over, along with an occasional star shooting. Clouds formed but didn’t threaten to pour rain. As the breeze picked up, grass and leaves rustled in his ears, including the whir of crickets and grasshoppers. He stuffed hands in his pockets as he waited for Chantelle.
Waiting for Chantelle. The thought made his fingers ache to touch her. Had he been waiting for her his entire life? She’d been a dream. Everything he wanted and loved.
Then he heard the ground crunch underneath the tires. He turned to find her pulling up her car next to him. He smiled, only to have his heart palpitate inside his chest. She exited the car, only to make eye contact with him as she closed the door. She wrapped her arms around herself as she approached him.
“What’s going on?” She asked.
“Why did you want to meet here?”
“I have some… news and I could only tell you in person,” he said.
She shrugged. “What?”
“The wedding’s off.”
Her mouth fell open. “What? Why? What happened?”
“Andrea and I decided we shouldn’t get married. We realize that even though we love each other, it would be a mistake.”
Chantelle shook her head slightly. “I can’t believe this. Was it something I—”
“It was a mutual decision.” Lance couldn’t help but grin. Chantelle was gorgeous in the moonlight.
She shifted from one foot to the other. “I don’t mean to sound selfish, but what am I supposed to tell my boss? The public is expecting you to get married.”
“Tell them the wedding’s off.” Simple enough.
She cupped her forehead. “I don’t get it. You two were fine during the interview. At least until I… I’m sorry about that.”
“No, I should have told her everything sooner.” Lance inched closer.
“Why didn’t you?”
“Chantelle when we broke up, I didn’t know what to do. I felt guilty for the way I acted and the things I said, and I should have called you. It was stupid.”
She sighed. “I almost stopped by your house on the way to college.”
“You did?”
She bobbed her head.
Lance’s stomach burned. “If I had stepped up back then, maybe we wouldn’t be here. Maybe we would have been celebrating ten years of marriage.”
“Lance, it’s okay,” Chantelle said. “We made a mistake.”
“No, it’s not.” He stepped away, hearing the gravel crunch underneath his shoes. “Ever since my sister died, my parents have been interfering in my life. I should've stopped them. I’ve lived with that regret for years.”
“I know they love you.”
He pivoted to face her. “Why are you defending them? They ruined us. They told us to give our baby away. They cared more about a scandal in town than us doing the right thing by our child.”
“I know.” She walked over and touched his shoulder. “It’s just… I would love nothing more than to hear my dad’s voice again. Don’t take your parents for granted. Are they perfect? No, but I believe that most try their best.”
He reached up his hand and cupped her cheek. The tension left his body. Always looking for the best in people. That was Chantelle. “You’re incredible.”
She shivered at his touch. “Lance… I….”
“I’ve done nothing but think about you since you came back to Delta Heights. Spending time with you only reminded me of our high school days. We were inseparable. I loved you so much back then. You were a part of me. I’ve tried to move on, but... I can’t. We could both go our separate ways. I would be fine, but I want you.”
Her fingers dug into his shirt as she held him close to her.
His fingers stroked her jawline. “Tell me you feel the same way, Chantelle. If you don’t, I’ll understand, but I can’t hold it in anymore. I’ve spent most of my life keeping up appearances and trying to please people. I’m done. Tell me you still care. Tell me you—”
She kissed him, and his knees weakened. Sealing his lips with hers, Lance deepened the kiss. It had been too long since they’d kissed, but the memories flooded his mind. He held her close as she rested her head on his chest. Her hand drifted upward and cradled the back of his head.
His mind went numb. Nothing else mattered but the woman he fell in love with at eighteen. He didn’t know it then, but genuine love was at his fingertips. He surrendered to her lips. Lance held her closer as she moaned into his mouth.
Chantelle had to stay, and even if she didn’t, he would commute from Delta Heights to Chicago. After lingering a little longer against her supple mouth, they came up for air. Yet, he held her close.
“How long have you waited for that?” He asked.
“Since I left.” Her voice sounded breathy.
“From now on we tell each other everything. Agreed?”
“Then…” She straightened her body and put some space between them.
“What’s wrong?”
Her brow furrowed. “What about the article?”
“Do you want me to talk to your boss?”
She tilted her head to the side and smiled. “No, I was only asking what you want me to write.”
“Tell the truth. Andrea and I will stay friends since that’s what’s best for our relationship.” He stroked her cheek once more. “Unless you want to tell them I fell for the reporter.”
She giggled. “Don’t even joke like that. I don’t want that spreading all over social media. They’re ruthless. Can we give it some time to die down before everyone knows?”
“I promise.”
She clasped her fingers with his. “What do we do now?”
“How about… a date?” He asked.
“You mean it?” Her eyes shined.
“Why not?”
Chantelle licked her lips. “Can you promise me something else?”
“What’s that?”
“I want to take things slow. Yes, we dated before, but a lot’s changed, and we’re adults. I want to get to know you as the man you are now.”
He smiled, pressing his forehead to hers. “You’re even more beautiful now.”
She sighed. “Lance, I—”
“Let me finish. You’re much more than your looks. I’ve always loved your kindness towards others. I’ll never forget the times you volunteered in the community or sat among orphaned puppies at dog shelters. If people only see the surface, they’re missing the real you.”
She cradled his face in her hands and kissed his lips. Lance splayed his hands across her back, never wanting to be this far away from her again. Their scintillating kiss sent sensations up his legs.
He leaned in closer, peppering her mouth with more kisses. She gasped and only wrapped her arms around his neck. He focused on the sweet depths of her mouth. It was warm and willing.
Ten years without her might as well have been an eternity. How did he manage this long without her? Raking his fingers through her hair, he kissed her for all the years they missed. Pressing his mouth to hers, all the muscles in his body loosened. Chantelle brought relief. She brought a wave of peace.
Concerns and worries faded away. Everything made sense. Warmth infused his body as she kissed him back. Her mouth nipped at his, and by the time they stopped, he was breathless.
Chantelle sighed. “I don’t remember you kissing me like that in high school.”
He chuckled. “You said you wanted to get to know me as a man.”
She giggled and kissed him again.
Chapter 24
“Lance, what are you doing?” Chantelle asked as her hands rested on top of the bandanna. He wanted her eyes covered so she wouldn’t see the surprise, and she fidgeted in her seat during the ride, trying to figure out where he was taking her.
He helped her out of the car and kissed the space behind her ear. “A few more steps.”
Chantelle followed his lead. His kisses made her insides shiver. “Lance?”
“Okay.” The bandanna loosened around her eyes. “Now.”
Chantelle blinked and her eyes adjusted to the bright lights in front of her. A performing arts theater? Why would he bring her here? Looking up, she glanced at the bright marquee with the name of the show, “90s Night.” Posters on the building advertised the show. Chantelle didn’t recognize the performers, but as she stared, she noticed similarities to artists she grew up listening to. She grinned and looked over at Lance.
He wrapped his arms around her waist. “They’re impressionists. Tonight is Monica, Brandy, Destiny’s Child, Silk, Dru Hill, SWV, and Boyz II Men.”
She shrieked with excitement. “Let’s go!”
Lance chuckled, clasping her hand. He paid at the box office. They waited along with the rest of the patrons around the rope lines. Chantelle stood in disbelief, holding
Lance’s hand. This was the happiest she’d seen him. Was it because of her?
She had to give him credit for her happiness. Biting her lower lip, she had yet to tell her boss about the canceled wedding. Chantelle adjusted her purse on her shoulder. She wouldn’t think about that now.
Once inside, they bypassed the concession counter with snacks and beverages. Instead, they paced to the multiple doors to the seating area with cushioned seats. She proceeded to the aisle, but Lance led her to the stairway that led to the balcony.
“Is that necessary?” She asked.
“I want you to have the best seat in the house.”
Chantelle smiled at his thoughtfulness, but her mouth dropped open when they came to a private box. “Lance?” She took her seat.
He sat next to her. “Like it?”
“You must have paid for these earlier. Why did we wait in line then?”
His mouth twisted into a grin. “I didn’t want to give my plan away too quickly.”
She leaned in and kissed his lips. “This is sweet. Thank you.”
When the show began, the muffled voices in the theater ceased. Chantelle stared on the stage, noticing a familiar tune of her teenage years, “Angel of Mine.” Though the singer didn’t sound like the original artist, Monica, she made it her own.
“Want to dance?” Lance clasped her hand.
Her eyes widened. “You’re not well if you’re asking me that.”
He laughed and pulled her to her feet. “Another reason I wanted a private box.”
Chantelle shook her head, but indulged him. Lance brought her to his chest. The music swelled around them as it did at the dance studio. Only difference was, nothing was between them.
Teasing the nape of his neck with her fingers, her body swayed with his as they moved to the music. Chantelle relaxed in his embrace. His strong fingers held secured at her waist.
“Chantelle, I’ve been thinking,” he said.
She rested her head on his chest. “What’s that?”
“I know you’ll be leaving soon.”
She paused in her steps with him. “I know. I haven’t decided what I want to do.”
Lance raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean? You thought about staying?”
She bobbed her head. “Mr. Perkins... offered… well, he says that I can take over the paper.”
