Lance stood still as a statue, not wantingMrs. Nelson to poke him with a stickpin. He’d already experience itpricking his skin the first time around. He didn’t want arepeat.
The joys of putting a wedding together. If hehad his way, he would wear a collared dress shirt and khaki pants.He could hear his mother’s response if he suggested anything lessthan the perfect wedding. The stiffness in his jaw increased.
Then Lance’s eyes caught Chantelle, sittingacross from him on a metal chair with her tablet in hand. Heswallowed and his fingers brushed against his palms. They sweated,but he could do this. They agreed to be friends. He could keep histhoughts in check. Yet, she sat with her legs crossed in her heeledpumps. How did she walk in those?
He licked his lips. Chantelle had lovedwearing heels since their high school days. He loved the ones shewore during their senior prom night. Though she hadn’t leveled withhis height, she didn’t have to reach too far to wrap her armsaround his neck as they danced in the school’s gym.
Lance stared. She looked the same. Her smile,bright as a diamond in the sun. The girl of eighteen he had lovedgrew into a gorgeous woman. It wasn’t her looks only that caughthis attention, but her ambition. Her drive for her work. Her senseof humor and charm. It made Lance remember—everything. How muchlonger would this take? His mouth twisted, knowing Mrs. Nelsonwouldn’t let him leave until she finished.
As Chantelle studied her tablet, she chewedon her bottom lip. Taking a finger, she brushed a strand of hairbehind her ear. Lance pressed his lips together. Bad idea tostare.
He needed a diversion. “Taking that manynotes about me?”
Chantelle raised her chin. “Not too many, buta few.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Where will you two spend your honeymoon?”She then stood to her feet, raising her phone as if to take apicture.
He groaned. “Not too many pictures,please?”
She grinned. “You still don’t care for thecamera. How did you get through the bachelor interview?”
“My mother,” he mumbled.
“Who?” Chantelle asked.
“I need more stickpins,” Mrs. Nelson said.“Don’t you move, Lance.”
“Yes, Mrs. Nelson.” He wouldn’t roll hiseyes. Mrs. Nelson was a sweetheart but a stickler for details.
Chantelle giggled, covering her mouth withher free hand.
His forehead wrinkled. “At my expense. Thankyou for being a friend.”
She pressed a hand to her chest.
“What was the question earlier?” heasked.
“Your honeymoon.”
“We said Egypt.”
She bobbed her head. “Great. No change ofplans? Is that the only place you two have in mind?”
“With her in Greece, she’s thinking of goingthere instead.”
Chantelle grabbed her tablet once more andtyped. “So… if you don’t mind my asking again, what makes Andreaspecial enough to marry her?”
Did her voice shake when she asked thatquestion? Lance couldn’t pinpoint it. Even if she had an opinionabout his upcoming wedding, why would he care?
“We’re good together.” That sufficed, didn’tit? He wouldn’t go into details about his feelings. He and Andreaneeded some privacy.
“Lance?” Chantelle raised an eyebrow.“Really? That’s it. ‘We’re good together.’”
“What do you want me to say?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe you foundyour soulmate. You can’t imagine the rest of your life without her.She makes you smile from within. She challenges you to be better.She’s a blessing and an asset to your life.”
He watched as her face seemed to shine. Lancehad experienced that kind of love before. It didn’t dawn on him asa teenage boy watching her walk down the halls of Delta HeightsHigh School. Chantelle always had trouble opening up herlocker.
“You don’t know your combination?” He hadasked.
“I know it,” she had said, twisting the lockback and forth. “It just won’t work.”
Reaching for the lock, his fingers brushedagainst hers. “Here, let me help.”
She huffed and stepped backwards. “Fine.”
In less than a minute, Lance had opened themetal door.
“I see you’re thinking. Do you have an answernow?” Chantelle stepped forward, interrupting his memories of her.He needed to call Andrea today. His wife to be. The only woman whoneeded to be on his mind.
“I’ll get back to you on that.” Lance willedhis arms not to move to avoid the nicks of the stick pins.
Then his phone rang. He rolled his eyes sincehe couldn’t move. Chantelle set her tablet on her chair.
“Where is it?” she asked.
“My jacket pocket.” He made the gesture withhis head. “Where is Mrs. Nelson when you need her?”
Chantelle hurried to retrieve his phone fromthe dressing room. As soon as she trotted back to him, he noddedfor her to answer. She put the phone to his ear.
“Hello?” Lance said into the phone.
“Babe?” Andrea’s voice said. “I’m going toParis!”
“What!” His body jerked. Thank goodness hedidn’t feel needles in his skin.
“I got another gig and I couldn’t pass itup.”
He shook his head just as Mrs. Nelsonreturned.
“Don’t move,” she said. “Unless you wantanother round of pins, hold still.”
Chantelle covered her mouth as if to stifleher giggles.
Lance rolled his eyes before returning to hisconversation with his fiancé. “Babe, I don’t think your takinganother gig is good timing right now.”
“That’s why I called your mother already.She’ll help you.”
He sighed. “I appreciate the thought, but I’drather have you here.”
“Lance, did you hear what I said? I’m goingto Paris!”
“Babe—”
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,Lance. You know how much this means to me. Why can’t you be happyfor me?”
“I am happy for you, but—”
“Lance, I have to go. I’ll call you backlater, and we can talk about it more. Okay.” She hung up withoutallowing him to say goodbye.
Chantelle brought the phone down from hisear. “Is everything okay?”
“Are we finished yet, Mrs. Nelson?” he asked.He didn’t answer Chantelle’s question.
***
Chantelle didn’t respond to Lance, noting theclenching of his jaw. What made him so upset for his eyebrows tofurrow? She wouldn’t ask him again. Instead, she smirked.
Lance raised an eyebrow. “What’s the sneakysmile for?”
Her mouth dropped open. “Sneaky? Me?”
His eyes squinted at her. “Chantelle?”
She gestured as if she were zipping herlips.
Lance blew out of his cheeks. “Fine.”
“How about late lunch early dinner? Have youeaten today?”
He shook his head. The most he had was abagel and coffee.
“My treat?”
“Sure.”
After Mrs. Nelson finished her measurements,and Lance changed back into his clothes, he walked side by sidewith
