“How are you?” Javier opened his arms for ahug.
Chantelle squealed, recalling her old friendin high school. She wrapped her arms around him and he swayed herback and forth. His dog barked again, interrupting the moment.
“This is Henry,” Javier said.
Chantelle knelt and reached for the dog’spaw. “Hi Henry.”
The dog shook with her, and she giggled. “Youtrained him well.”
“Thanks.”
She straightened to her feet. “How long areyou in town?”
“I moved back.”
“You’re kidding?”
He shook his head. “What about you? I heardyou made it big in the windy city.”
“I’m here profiling the Taylor wedding.”
Javier raised his eyebrows. “Lance? Didn’tyou guys...” His mouth twisted. “Interesting.”
“Yes, we’re working together now,” shesaid.
Javier gestured for her to walk with him, soshe obliged. “Everything going well? How’s life?”
“I love what I do. No dog, though. There’s ano pet policy in my building,” Chantelle said.
“Who doesn’t love dogs?”
“Quite a few, but I’m not one of them. Howare you? What do you do?”
His eyes beamed. “I’m an artist. I have astudio and I’ve signed with a representative. I have my firstshowing before the summer is over.”
A bark of laughter escaped her lips. “Astechnical as you were back in high school? I could have sworn youwould invent something.”
He chuckled along with her. “I lovetechnology, but I developed a passion for art.”
“Good for you.”
He paused and stared across the street. “Areyou free now? I know a place with great sandwiches and is petfriendly.”
Chantelle smiled. She knew the place too.“Lead the way.”
He extended his arm, and Chantelle loopedhers through his. Javier Flores. What were the chances of runninginto him in town? Though they shared a genuine friendship in highschool, she hated that the years drove them apart. Not to mention,her grief drove her to isolate herself.
Chantelle’s eyes drifted down to Javier’sdog, Henry. His tail wagged in obvious excitement. He led the way,but Javier made sure his dog didn’t dart into the street.
With traffic behind them, they enteredthrough the glass doors of Maxwell’s Deli and ordered. Chantellesat across from Javier. The surrounding people placed orders, andchit chatted with friends. An employee called out items that wererunning low, while a frying pan hissed on the stove.
Spicy mustard and cayenne filled Chantelle’snostrils along with baked bread. The pair ate outside. Flavorsburst in her mouth as she tasted the succulent turkey sandwich sheordered. Though a few small tables and chairs remained empty, Max’splace kept a good crowd for lunch.
“Is it good?” Javier asked.
Chantelle bobbed her head. Then she scootedin her seat to get more comfortable, only to notice something warmon her feet. Looking underneath the table, she spotted Henry. “He’sasleep.”
Javier chuckled. “He took to you fast.”
She bit into her chewy bread. Javier lookedso different with a five o’clock shadow. His dark features wereexotic to look at, but his gleaming smile made all the difference.He even showed chivalry by opening the door for her when they firstarrived.
“I never took you for a dog person,”Chantelle said.
“I wasn’t, but I volunteer at the animalshelter in town with my sister. She loves animals. I saw thislittle guy and had to take him home.”
She touched a hand to her heart. “That’s sosweet.”
“Did you grow up with pets?”
She shook her head. “No, but my mom changedher mind since she has a cat now. He looks like Garfield.More like Cat from Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
Javier laughed. “Does he at least have aname?”
“Pepper. Don’t ask me why she chosethat.”
“Any pets in your future?” He wiped hismedium lips with a napkin.
“I don’t know. I’ll think about it.”
Javier leaned his elbows on the table. “Sotell me what it’s like to be a famous writer. Last I saw, youprofiled an NBA player and his fiancé for their wedding lastyear.”
“Hardly famous.”
He wagged a finger at her. “Don’t sellyourself short. I read that article.”
“You read The Wedding Report?”
“I’m more of a Sports Illustrated kindof guy, but my baby sister obsesses over it. She begged me to readthe article since it involved a sports player. I recognized yourname and kept reading.”
Her heart warmed at the notion. “That wasnice of you. What was your favorite part?”
He stroked his stubble chin. “I think thesection where you asked him how he proposed. It was kind of clichéto me for him to hide the ring in a cupcake, but it was nice howhis fiancé liked it.”
“I did too. That was one of my favoritequestions to ask.”
Javier stared. He was handsome, but shewasn’t back in town to work on her personal life.
“Is everything okay?” She asked him.
He held up a napkin and wiped the corner ofher mouth. He took his time and despite the tickle of the paper,she could feel his warm, strong fingers stroking her skin.
“You had some mustard there,” he said.
“Oh, no.” Grabbing her own napkin, she wipedthe rest of her mouth, taking off most of her lipstick.
“I got most of it, so you’re good.”
“Thank you.”
His eyes lingered. “You’re welcome. How longwill you be here?”
She sighed, despite the fluttery feeling inher stomach. “Just until Lance’s wedding day.”
Javier bobbed his head. “That’s plenty oftime.”
“Time for what?”
“To ask you out for a few dates.”
Chantelle’s body went still and her mouthfell open. Javier’s mouth quirked up into a grin. He couldn’t beserious. She’d be leaving soon. Going out with him? What if hewanted more? He was a friend, and they were always cordial in highschool, but a date?
“You’re thinking about it, I see,” hesaid.
“Javier, I come back as often as I can tovisit my family, but that’s it. Delta Heights is still home, but Ilive in Chicago. Is it even wise to... start something?”
“I get that.” His eyes softened. “Truth is, Ishould have asked you out a long time ago. I didn’t have the gutsthen being awkward. I’m passed that stage now.”
“I can see that.” He had come into hisown.
“You were always nice to me, despite whatothers said. I appreciated it. I liked you.”
Chantelle’s hand carved through her hair,held it back for a moment, and then released her curls. “I neverknew that.”
“So… you’ll go out with me?”
What would Lance think? Chantelle blinked asa knot in her stomach worsened. Lance was getting married. Hewouldn’t care if
