Chapter 10
Chantelle leaned against her car as shestared along the country road, a few miles outside of DeltaHeights. Barbed wiring fenced the area, while white mileage postsleaned lost to weeds. Crops grew up in pastures, whiskey barley andyellow canola flowers, along with stunted trees dotted the fallowland.
Wind weathered through the wild grass andcrops. Chantelle heard the scruff of gravel underneath her heels.She inhaled dry grass and flowering weeds, and the gravel pokedthrough the thin sole of her shoes. She should have brought flats.How was she supposed to know Lance’s attitude would shift duringthe interview? What did she ask him that was so wrong?
If he didn’t want his life publicized, thenhe didn’t need to be dating a famous model. While she ignored thelump in her throat, she could sympathize with him. Ever since she’dknown him, Lance was not much for seeking attention.
He enjoyed being behind the scenes, but hehad to have changed since he was making his father’s law firm evenmore famous. She remembered how brilliant Lance was in high school,graduating as one of the top seniors. Even in her college years,she had kept up with him some, noting his success on the basketballteam. Instead of going pro, as many assumed he would, he stuck withthe books. She stopped checking after college, no longer wanting totorment herself with thoughts of him.
The wind picked up, causing her hair to raisefrom resting at her shoulders. Chantelle knew she needed toapologize. They weren’t the teenagers who sneaked out to see eachother despite his parents’ disapproval.
They only spent more time together. Talking.Laughing. Chantelle never felt more loved. She swallowed as shewandered a few steps from her parked car. Lance didn’t hint atfeelings for her. Not until his sister died, and he kissed her atthe bleachers.
Then he asked to meet her later. Chantellehad sneaked out, telling her parents she was hanging out with otherfriends. She hadn’t intended to lie to them, but she knew theywouldn’t approve of her seeing him alone and not with the rest ofthe group. How would she explain to her parents he needed her?
They attended the funeral for his sister.They saw him stare into space as the pallbearers carried hercasket. It was best that her parents didn’t know.
She had cut the engine, watching him pull hiscar up behind her. Chantelle didn’t hesitate. In the few hoursapart, she had missed him. Lance had been enthusiastic to see her.As soon as they reached each other, he had kissed her.
Then another night came to mind. Chantelledidn’t hide her feelings. They were young, so their love for eachother had overpowered them. It was the most intense experience ofher life. Well... almost. There was another night. The last one,and it brought pain. A pain that had left scars on her heart. Apain that took years to heal from, but in time, she’d accepted it.There were times it triggered her, but Chantelle wouldn’t return tothat dark place.
“I thought you forgot about this place,” afamiliar tenor voice said.
She must have tuned out. Chantelle pivoted tosee Lance leaning against his car. How did she not hear him pullup? She brushed her hair behind her ears once more. Her hair had tobe a mess because of the wind, but at least it cooled her body. “Ididn’t forget. There are a lot of... memories here.”
He bobbed his head. “I agree.” He stuffed hishands in his pockets and stepped closer.
“I’m surprised you’re here.” She couldn’t sayshe wasn’t glad to see him. Her irritation with him had subsided.She was equally to blame.
Lance gave a slight smile. “I come here fromtime to time. It’s been a while.”
Chantelle nodded, rubbing her arms.
He stared at her. “Sorry about what happened.I shouldn’t have talked to you like that.”
The tension from earlier released fromChantelle’s body. “I wasn’t too nice to you either. If I went toofar in the interview, I apologize.”
His eyes beamed. “We’ve come a long way. Iremember there were times we could go for days without speakingafter a fight.”
Chantelle giggled. “Our interestingfriendship. I’m glad you’ve matured.” It was true. That occurredwhen they were friends. Things changed after he kissed her.
He touched a hand to his chest, but his smilegave him away. “Me? You stormed in my house and snapped at me.”
“I call it being passionate,” she said.
“Don’t change Chantelle.” Then his stareturned serious. “It is good to see you and...” He kicked a rock asif it pained him to continue. “I’ll try to comply with thisarticle.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you uncomfortablewith me—”
“I’ll be fine. Can you handle it?” The cornerof his mouth quirked into a grin. He was being playful? That wasalways a good sign.
“I did in the past.” She gasped. “Sorry, Ishouldn’t have brought that up.”
“It’s cool. It was a long time ago.”
“Friends?”
He bobbed his head. “Friends.”
She wrung her hands together. “And...” Couldshe promise this? “I promise not to write anything that you don’twant me to. If I ask something that you don’t want printed, I’llmake sure of it. You have my word.”
His gaze softened. Why did he stare at her asif she were a rare gem? “I believe you.” A chuckle escaped hislips. “You always had a way of putting people at ease.”
Chantelle shrugged. “It’s a gift.” They bothlaughed, but he had to know. “I mean it, Lance. I’ll respect yourwishes. Deal?”
Lance might as well have walked in slowmotion. When he reached out his hand, he took hers in his. Thesensation of being flooded with warmth overwhelmed Chantelle. Herfingers tingled as his firm hand enveloped hers, but he remainedgentle.
“Deal.” He released his grip.
Chantelle could still feel his touch, but sheignored it. “So… what’s next? When would you like toreschedule?”
“Come with me.”
***
The swoosh of fabric and store music floodedLance’s ears. Scanners bleeped as they picked up bar codes. Theclick and clack for hangers rubbed
