His hormones raged. She was stunning in hergown. Her smile was bright. Her touch to his face was warm. Onenight. That’s all it took. He poured out his heart that night. Hedidn’t care how young they were. A decision at that moment led toan unplanned pregnancy.
Then the door creaked open. He straightenedin his seat as she walked back to hers next to him.
“Sorry about that. That was Cameron checkingon me.”
His chest tightened for a moment. Chantelleinvolved with someone else? The thought crossed his mind, but hewouldn’t say it. His opinion didn’t matter. Her personal life washer business. “Oh, really?”
Chantelle bobbed her head. “She’s a fellowwriter at The Wedding Report. We’ve gotten close as friendsover the last few years.”
The pain eased inside. Why did it show up?Maybe it wasn’t a bad thing. He had a history with Chantelle. He’dalways care about her. It didn’t mean more than that.
“Did she come back yet?” Chantelle asked.
He shook his head. “Not yet. So tell me moreabout your friend. Is she the only one you have in Chicago?”
“No, but Cameron is the one I’m closest to.We’ve been through a lot together. She quit her job because ofme.”
“How was that helpful?” He raised an eyebrow.“Did something happen?”
She blew out her cheeks. “I was… um…” Shebrushed her hair back again with her fingers. “There was a… scandaltwo years ago.”
“Scandal?”
She bobbed her head. “I haven’t always beenat The Wedding Report.” She turned in her seat to face him.“Promise you won’t repeat what I’m about to say. Only my immediatefamily knows this.”
“I promise,” he said, hoping June didn’treturn anytime soon.
“I used to work at a newspaper before I movedto the magazine. I had a boss who was tough, but he seemed fair. Hewas friendly, so I thought nothing of it until he called me to hisoffice one day. I wanted to talk to him anyway about a story I wasinterested in writing, but he blew off my idea. He said I was toopretty to worry about writing on serious matters in the world.”
Lance’s skin crawled at the thought ofsomeone insulting Chantelle. She graduated in their high schoolclass in the top five percent. Chantelle wasn’t just a beauty. Shewas brilliant.
She continued. “He kept saying if I wanted tomove up the corporate ladder, I needed him in my corner. Itdidn’t take a rocket scientist to know what he meant. I refused andreported him.”
“I’m sorry, Chantelle,” Lance said.
“A few days later, he was accused oflaundering money. He thought I had something to do with it, andthat I reported him out of spite. I didn’t know about the money,but since it was around the same time as his investigation, heassumed.
I quit. I couldn’t stay there, especiallyafter I testified against him. It was never the same at work. Somebelieved me while others thought I ruined him and the paper’sreputation. Cameron worked there too, and since they overlooked herfor a promotion, she left with me.”
Lance leaned back in his cushioned chair.“Wow.”
“Sometimes I don’t think about it, but itstill grates on me.”
He draped an arm around her shoulder. Hisbody felt feverish. Lance didn’t know why, but he wanted to protecther.
“I’m okay, Lance,” she said.
“I’m here if you need me.” He meant it. Nomatter what happened between them, he wanted her to know she couldcount on him.
Chantelle gave half a smile. “Not for long.You’re getting married and I’m going back to Chicago.”
“I’ll still see you around when you visit.”Lance licked his lips. It wouldn’t be right to see her once hemarried. Delta Heights was a small town, and word would travelfaster than him blinking his eyes. What were they saying now withher following him around? It was all innocent, but would thathinder the town gossip?
His muscles tensed. “I mean, if that’s whatyou would like, to keep in touch this time.”
She smiled. “I’d like that, Lance.”
His mouth flooded with moisture as theylocked eyes with each other. His hands tingled. Her lips partedslightly. Lance wouldn’t stare at her lips. Instead, he moved hisarm from her chair. He then clasped his hands on the table.
June Myers returned to the room. “I hope youcan forgive my absence. I had to make an emergency phone call aboutthis wedding.”
“To whom? I’m right here.” Lance cocked hishead to the side.
“Your mother,” June said. “She hired me to doa job and I will follow her instructions to the letter. Besides,it’ll save you the trouble and you can focus on your work.” Shefolded her hands in front of her, staring at him as if she’dwon.
Lance’s eyes diverted back and forth betweenJune and Chantelle. What about his opinion? What aboutAndrea’s?
When would it end? He grew tired of hismother taking over. This was between him and Andrea. Over the yearshe tried to break free from the hold his parents had, but Lancenever succeeded. His stomach hardened. A grown man, but bound.
“You’re right, Ms. Myers,” he said. “Iappreciate the time and effort you’re putting into making my daywith Andrea a success.”
She clapped her hands. “I’m glad you agree,Mr. Taylor. Now, in terms of the venue, I was thinking—”
“You’re fired.” He stood from his seat,hearing it scrape against the hardwood floors.
“Excuse me!” June’s mouth dropped.
“You’re fired.” Lance didn’t blink. “You’llbe compensated for any purchases you’ve already made, but I’ll nolonger need your services.” He looked down at Chantelle, whose eyesbugged. “Are you ready to go?”
She nodded.
Lance took her hand and together they walkedto the door.
“What about the smothered steaks?” Junecalled out. “Fish? You can’t do this! Don’t you know who I am?”
Lance chuckled as he and Chantelle marcheddown the hall. She looped her arm through his.
“Am I allowed to print this? Or is thisconsidered private?” She asked with a grin.
“I’ll think about it. June may not want thatin the papers that she tries to take over her clients’ weddings.Are you hungry?”
“Why? You want smothered steaks?” Shejoked.
“Not a terrible idea. Are you free for dinnertonight?” He escorted her to
