by Daria White
The corners of Lance’s mouth quirked up. “You running the paper in town? That would bring you home. You’ll also be able to print what you wanted as the owner.”
Chantelle folded her arms. “It’s a huge decision.”
Lance cupped her face. “Whatever you decide, do it for you. I want you here with me, but if your heart’s set on something else, I’ll understand. I’m not going anywhere.”
Would it be so terrible to move back home? She’d seen enough of the world. Had enough adventures. Perhaps it was time to settle down. It didn’t make her a quitter. Her dreams were only changing. Change was good.
Chantelle felt too hot and cold at the same time. Why was history repeating itself? Her having to decide. Leave the ones she loved or pursue her dreams.
“Chantelle?” Lance’s forehead wrinkled.
She pulled her lips in. “We keep coming back here, Lance.”
He sighed. “I know, but we’ll figure it out this time. It’s you and me.”
“I love you.” Saying the words again brought relief. Her shoulders sagged. “I just...”
Lance drew closer and embraced her, kissing the top of her head. “Let’s not focus on that now.” He turned them to the stage as the group impersonating SWV sang their segment.
Chantelle listened as she heard them sing “Weak.” “Remember that one?”
“I do,” he said.
Chantelle wrapped her arms around him, never wanting to let him go. He was right. Tonight was their night. Lance’s hands grazed her back, leaving tingles dancing all over her.
She tilted her head and brought her lips to his. They stopped dancing. He claimed her lips as he did the other night on the road.
Chantelle wouldn’t worry over their future. Lance wouldn’t let her go, and she wouldn’t walk away from him. She wouldn’t lose her first love twice. The first time nearly crushed her. She had stayed up too many nights as the tears drenched her pillow.
It seemed like a lifetime ago. Though years had passed between them, he still made her heart pound on the inside. One of Lance’s hands cradled the back of her head. Her arms remained locked around his neck. His kiss was soft but filled with passion as his lips meshed with hers. As his hands glided down her sides, his thumbs rubbed the arc of her hip-bones.
“I think we’re missing the show.” She breathed against his mouth, but he only kissed her again.
“Are we?” His voice was only a whisper.
“Uh, huh.”
Lance only paid attention to her lips, kissing along the curve of her mouth. “I’m still making up for lost time. It’s been too long.”
“Lance, the show.” Her voice sounded breathy.
Then his kisses led behind her ear. Chantelle’s knees wobbled, but he held her up. He only held her tighter.
“I love you, Chantelle.”
Her heart melted. She blocked out the world around them. She held onto Lance.
***
Chantelle fumbled to silence her cell phone, which vibrated on her bedside table. It rattled in her ears, disturbing her dream of her and Lance. Flowering bulbs of tulips surrounded them in the open grassy field where she stood.
She had twirled on her tiptoes in the sun, and he stood off to her side laughing at her antics. Then she reached for him, and he brought her to his chest. Her breath had hitched and her ringing cell disrupted her dream.
Groaning, she silenced the sound, but it only returned. Then she spotted her boss’ name. Brenda? Chantelle answered despite the sleepiness still in her voice.
“Why are you and Lance all over social media?” Her boss asked.
She perked up at the question. “What?”
“I’m looking at it, Chantelle. It’s all over Facebook, Twitter, and don’t get me started on the hashtags on Instagram.”
Chantelle rubbed her head. “Brenda, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Then tell me. What’s this I hear of Lance’s engagement being off with Andrea? Her publicist released a statement an hour ago that the wedding’s off. Now they’ve leaked pictures of you and him.”
Chantelle put her on speakerphone and searched Lance’s name. There it was in black-and-white. “Reporter Steals Bachelor from Bride.” Her stomach plummeted. As she scrolled, her eyes widened. “Brenda, I promise I had nothing to do with Lance’s dissolved engagement.” The hashtag that trended was #homewrecker. Chantelle exited the apps since the other names were too offensive, some calling her stupid and desperate.
“So you knew this and didn’t think to report it to me?” Brenda asked.
She pressed a hand to her forehead. Spots in her vision increased along with the nausea. “Everything happened so fast. You know me, Brenda. I’m not a home-wrecker.”
“So explain to me why the press have you kissing Lance Taylor? Looks like a theater?”
Chantelle didn’t notice anybody follow them on their date. Was she that wrapped up in Lance that she didn’t pay attention? “It’s true. We were out together last night.”
“Chantelle.” Brenda released a deep breath. “This is not good. First the wedding is off, and now you’re making out with the former groom.”
“I didn’t tell you all the details but... Lance and I... were married. It was a long time ago, but we... rekindled some things.”
Silence.
“Brenda?” Definitely fired. Might as well accept Mr. Perkins’ offer, if he didn’t care about being caught up in the scandal too, associating himself with her.
“I don’t know what to think. You put the magazine in jeopardy. Your reputation as a writer is at stake here too. They’ll play on your sexual harassment story. They can twist it to fit any narrative they want. This is bad.”
Chantelle’s heartbeat raced. What was she going to do? How would Lance take the news? He already hated being in the public eye. This here would boil his blood. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am.”
Brenda sighed. “If I were you, I would stay off social media until the magazine releases our own statement. Talk to Lance and see what he says. We can try, but I don’t know how we’ll clean up this mess. Social media is not forgiving.”
With that, she hung up and Chantelle scurried to her feet to shower and dress for the day. The chest pains increased as she finished buttoning her shirt. She repeated to herself that everything would be okay. Would it, though? A sudden feeling and overwhelming sensation of dread took over. The press wasn’t forgiving. She knew that too well. A knock on her bedroom door disrupted her thoughts.
“Who is it?” She asked.
“It’s me.” Her mother peeked her head through the door. “Lance is here.”
Chantelle swallowed despite her dry mouth. “I’ll be right there.” She combed her hair and left to meet Lance in the living room. She gave half a smile when they made eye contact, but judging by his flaring nostrils and his cracking knuckles, he wasn’t happy.
“What’s going on?” He asked.
“Who told you?”
“Doesn’t matter. I want to hear it from you.” His voice had a bite to it. If Chantelle didn’t know any better, she’d think he was angry at her.
“Someone leaked information about... you and Andrea breaking up. There’s… pictures of you and me together. It looks like they took them from the diner, the dance studio, and the theater last night.”
The tightness in his eyes increased.
She raised her hands in a surrendered gesture. “I had nothing to do with this.”
He sprung to his feet. “How am I supposed to know that?”
What? “Excuse me?”
He pointed to her. “You said that you would write this story no matter what. Your fans need to know everything.”
She pressed a hand to her chest. “You think I leaked this? Do you know what they’re calling me on social media? I’m a home-wrecker breaking up the power couple of the year.”
“I didn’t want to do this stupid article! It was Andrea’s idea, so I went along with it. Aft
er everything I told you. After last night, you... you do this?”
He couldn’t be serious. Not after everything they had shared. “I can’t believe you think so little of me! I gave you my word. No, I didn’t leak this to the press. No, I didn’t do this to further my career. Why would I? Yes, my boss wanted exclusives and inside information, but I didn’t tell her anything.”
“So how did it happen? Tell me.” His eyes were cold.
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t?” He was being sarcastic right now?
“Why would I lie, Lance? Don’t you realize what this does to me? My reputation is on the line as a reporter. I could lose my job for this!”
“Tell me I wasn’t alone last night.” His eyes softened somewhat. “You didn’t lie to me, did you?”
“I would never lie. I came here for my job. I did that. I didn’t plan on falling in love with you again, but I did. I never stopped.” Her bottom lip trembled. The tears were coming, but she would finish. “I would never sabotage what we have.” She took a chance and stepped forward, cupping his face.
“Chantelle—”
“He’s still in there.” She cradled his face. “The boy I met years ago. He’s one of the best men I know. He has a kind heart. He knows the truth when he hears it.” Taking one of his hands, she placed it on top of her racing heart. “He knows me.” Her voice choked. “You know me, Lance.”
He shut his eyes for a moment, but then met her gaze. “And you know me. Better than anyone.” He sighed as his shoulders drooped. “I… I need to think this through. This is a lot to deal with.”
Chantelle dropped her hands from his and folded her arms. “I know. Me too.”
Despite the slight grimace on his face, at least his eyes didn’t burn in anger. Perhaps she got through to him for now. Chantelle wanted him to stay, but she knew he needed to leave. No hug. No kiss goodbye. He walked out the door.
Chantelle plopped on the couch as her eyes stung with tears. Covering her face with her hands, she sobbed. How did things change overnight?
***
Lance cut his car’s engine in front of his house, only to find his mother’s BMW parked a few feet away. Did she come with his father? He hadn’t talked to him since he put in his resignation at the office.
He stalked to his front door, and Dottie greeted him. She gestured her head to the living room, and Lance made his way to meet up with his mother. Sure enough, his mother paced his living room with her hands on her hips.
“Why do I have to find out about your canceled engagement through the news? I don’t even know what TMZ stands for, but your story is all over it,” she said through gritted teeth.
“We broke up. Andrea flew out after our dinner two nights ago.” He answered.
“And again, you’re telling me this now?” She huffed. “What will people say? The catering deposit is nonrefundable. I’ll be the talk of the town.”
“You’ll be the talk?”
“My son is ‘Most Eligible Bachelor.’ What did you think would happen? I can only imagine the looks on people’s faces at our gala this year.”
He shook his head. “You won’t even ask me how I am. Aren’t you curious that I wasn’t happy? Perhaps Andrea wasn’t happy?”
His mother tapped her fingers to her lips. “I bet it had something to do with the prenuptial agreement.”
“What prenup? I never asked Andrea to sign a prenup?”
His mother didn’t. When would her meddling stop?
“That’s where you made a mistake. I mentioned it to her at our dinner.”
“Why would you do that?”
His mother waved away his question. “It’s a reality. I know you probably bought into the fantasy that you would be together forever, but how many marriages go down the drain in today’s society? Fifty percent. You will not lose everything you worked for in this family just for a pretty face. Looks fade, and she could turn on you.” His mother snapped her fingers. “In a moment.”
Lance could only stare at his mother. His lips parted, and though no words came, his fists clenched.
His mother met his stare. “She didn’t tell you, did she? Well, that only proves that she loves you for you and didn’t want to rock the boat. Unless she called things off because of it. I’m not one to suggest divorce—”
A heavy sigh escaped his lips with a loud groan. “Mom, stop!”
Her eyebrows raised. “You watch your tone with me.”
He threw his arms up. “I’ve taken all I can take! I love you, but this has to stop. Between you and Dad, you’re tearing me apart. I hate we lost Amelia, but ever since she died you’ve become obsessed with my life. Where I go to school. Whom I marry. I put up with it because I felt sorry for you, but you’ve ruined me! I lost the woman I love!”
“Andrea will come to her senses. All you have to do is apologize.”
He bared down on his teeth. “I’m not talking about Andrea. Yes, I love her, but not enough to marry her. She felt the same way about me. We agreed to call things off. Why the press is spreading a story about infidelity, I don’t know, but I’ll find out. I love Chantelle, and I always will.” He paced the floor. “I shouldn’t have let you talk me out of our marriage.”
His mother’s eyebrows furrowed. “It was for the best, son. We were only thinking of you.”
He gave a mirthless laugh. “You thought I didn’t know my own mind. You assumed I wouldn’t do the right thing.” He stared at her. “You thought I would abandon her like most guys do when they get a girl pregnant. I didn’t. I did the right thing.”
“What is going on in here?” A deep voice interrupted.
His mother sat on the couch, folding her fingers in her lap.
Lance met his father’s gaze. “An overdue intervention.”
“Are you alright?” He asked his wife.
His mother didn’t speak. She only stared ahead.
His father’s nostrils flared. “What did you say to her? Haven’t you disappointed your mother enough already?”
He heard his father correctly. There was no muffling in Lance’s ears. Despite the knot in his stomach, he spoke up. “Which time, Dad? When I got Chantelle pregnant? When I quit the firm? When I ran off and married her? When we lost your only grandchild?”
His father opened his mouth, but no response came.
Lance shook his head. “This family has to change. I’m not a puppet for you two to control. Why do you think I moved out here and didn’t stay closer in town? To get some space from you both! You raised me to be a man of my word, and when I do that, you tell me it embarrasses the family. Well... I hate to break it to you, but this ends now. You either support me and my choices, or you can forget you have a son.”
His father raised his eyebrows. “Have you lost your mind?”
“I think I got it back.” He paused for a second to regain his composure. “So here’s the deal. I’m not marrying Andrea. I’m going to clean up this mess. I’m not coming back to the firm. I’m working on Amelia’s Foundation full time.”
His mother finally interjected. “Lance you can’t mean—”
He raised his hand to stop her. “And, I’m going to convince Chantelle to stay here. If not, I’m going with her.” He released a deep breath. A weight lifted from his chest. “I want you both to leave. I’ll let you know when I want to talk to you again.”
“Lance, I...” His mother’s eyes welled with tears. Then she hurried out of the room, as cries escaped her mouth.
Lance met his father’s gaze, noting his down-turned facial features. Then he left him alone. With a heavy-footed walk, Lance proceeded to his room. He plopped on his bed as the day raced through his mind.
Chapter 25
Chantelle petted Pepper’s fur as she reclined in bed. She’d deactivated her social media accounts for a while. The comments were too much. No one wanted the truth. They only wanted someone to blame. Despite the few fans that stood up for her, the trolls drowned them out.
; Her career was over. It was a matter of time before Brenda called and told her they fired her. A failure. She’d failed her fans, and most of all herself. Yet, it seemed worth it being in Lance’s arms again. She didn’t count on Andrea being hurt, but according to him, their split was mutual. It wasn’t her fault. Good luck trying to explain that.
Then her phone rang. She avoided it for most of the day, but seeing Cameron’s name on the screen buoyed her spirits.
“Are you okay? I’ve seen the posts. People are heartless on social media. How are you?” Cameron asked.
“I’m not reading them anymore.” She covered her eyes with one hand. “I don’t know why people are so cruel.”
“What did Brenda say?”
“She called again. I’m on probation until everything clears up.”
Cameron gasped. “Why? You and I both know you didn’t split these two up. You even said so yourself that you remained professional.”
Chantelle rubbed at her throbbing head. “I know, but the board doesn’t care. They have an image to maintain.”
“That’s not fair. I hate when people like you get dragged through the mud.”
“Thanks,” Chantelle said.
“Do you need anything? I can take a few days off. I can come and visit and we can stuff our faces with ice cream.”
“Mint chocolate chip?”
Cameron groaned. “Okay fine. Another favorite of yours. I don’t know why you like that.”
Chantelle giggled. Her first laugh of the day. “I appreciate it. You don’t have to come, but…” She changed the subject. “There is someone I wouldn’t mind introducing to you.”
“Who?” Cameron sighed. “I told you no more blind dates.”
“His name is Javier, and he’s a gentleman,” Chantelle said. “He also has a dog.”
“I love dogs!”
“I know, so it’s a perfect match.”
“Wait a minute, I haven’t even met this guy.”
“You will when you visit me.” Chantelle closed her eyes, refusing to let tears flow once more. “What am I going to do Cam?”
“Hang in there, okay. You’re one of the nicest people I know and your fans will stick by you no matter what.”