“How would I know that, Lance? That’s it,right there. You don’t tell me these things,” Andrea said.
He rubbed his forehead. “I never asked youeither.”
“I hate that happened to your sister. I wishI could have met her. What was she like?”
Lance reclined in bed. He had her attention,so he would capitalize on it. “Funny. Smart. Athletic. One of thebest people I knew.”
Andrea bobbed her head. “You must miss her alot.”
“I do. I... uh... I miss you, Andrea.”
“I miss you too. But...”
He sat up. “But what?”
“Maybe we need to take some time.”
“Time? For what? You want to call off thewedding?”
She shook her head. “Not that, but I think weneed to consider what we’re doing.”
Lance shut his eyes. This could only meantrouble. He didn’t believe in putting a relationship on hold or onpause. They were getting married, or they weren’t. “I have anotheroption.”
“What?”
“Come to Delta Heights.”
“Lance, I—”
“Come to Delta Heights and help me finishplanning this wedding. If not, I’ll know where your heart is.”
She only stared back at first, but her lipsparted. “Okay.”
She agreed? Did he hear correctly?“Okay?”
“You’re right.”
He had to reassure her. “It’s not anultimatum, but I think you need to be here.” It would be easier. IfAndrea were here, it would blot out the nonsense he was thinking.He bit his lips. Not quite nonsense.
Chantelle being back in town wasn’t the worstthing in the world. They shared their favorite childhood memories.They teased each other, but there was too much history. Lancewouldn’t let his impulses take over. That happened once before, andit broke the hearts of those around him.
He had shared his past with Andrea. She knewof his first marriage, but he didn’t tell her who his ex was. Wasnow the right time?
“I’ll talk to my agent about my schedule,”she said.
“That’s all I’m asking.”
Andrea gave a slight smile.
***
Lance settled in his seat on the airplaneride to New York. He could have ridden first class as his fathersuggested, but what for? To show off? He didn’t mind meeting otherpassengers beside him. He even met a few kids on the trips whoseparents let them bounce in their seats.
The flight attendants greeted the passengersas they boarded, and his eyes diverted to the overheadcompartments. He loaded his laptop inside, wanting to at least takea nap before working on the last notes of his presentation. Lancerubbed his eyes, fighting off the sleepiness. He wanted to be inthe air when he slept, preferring to be awake during takeoff.
A few people blocked the aisle as they shovedtheir bags in the compartments overhead. He stared at the settelevision screens in the back seats, while slots inside the fabricseats held magazines. Beverage carts squeaked in the background,along with laughter and chatter. Lance inhaled snack foods, freshcoffee, and the sharp scent of hand sanitizer.
He patted his phone in his pocket. Lance wassure his mother already knew about him firing June Myers. Despiteher being in bed with a cold, his mother had called him six timesto ask why. He didn’t answer.
Twisting the watch on his wrist, he hoped hecould close this deal. Resting his head against the headrest, Lanceclosed his eyes. If only he could get away. He was onlytwenty-eight, but why did he feel exhausted?
He slept for most of the flight. Lance didn’teven take out his laptop, but relaxed. He rubbed his eyes as theolder woman turned in her seat to stare. He must have closed hiseyes before she settled in her seat next to him. Thankfully, he gotin a nap first. Lance hoped another would follow.
“You look familiar,” the older woman said.She tapped her finger to her chin, her nails painted in red polish.Her fair skin glowed despite the crow’s feet around her eyes. Hercornflower blue eyes squinted as she gaped at Lance.
He extended his hand. “Lance Taylor.”
She accepted the gesture. “Victoria Cruise.”Then she pointed at him. “I’ve seen that face.” She reached for anin-flight magazine. Thumbing through the pages, her eyes bugged.“That’s where I know you from. You’re marrying the model! AndreaWilliams!”
Lance looked around to see if anyone waslistening. He cleared his throat. “Yes, ma’am.”
“And respectful.” Her eyes gleamed. “I knewyou were a gentleman.”
Lance smiled. “Thank my parents. They raisedme well.” He ignored the twinge in his chest.
“Are you excited about your big day?”Victoria asked.
Lance didn’t care to talk for the entireflight, but he wouldn’t be rude. “I am.” That’s what he toldhimself despite the headaches the wedding planning brought.
“It’ll be over before you know it. Theceremony itself is less than an hour depending on what you’redoing. Marriage is the key. That’s when the work begins.”
“I’ve heard that.” He saw the commitment inhis parents. Even his best friend found love with Elise, and Grantshared occasionally on how they make it work. It wasn’t acakewalk.
“Don’t worry. As long as you both arewilling, you can make it work.” Victoria patted his hand. “I wasmarried for thirty years before my husband passed. Colon cancer. Wehad our trials, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Lance bobbed his head. “I’m sorry about yourhusband. Thank you for the kind words.”
She smiled. “I won’t disturb youanymore.”
He shook his head. “You didn’t. I’m gladthere are marriages out here to inspire us.”
She nodded. “I wish I could say it was myfirst and only, but I divorced in my early twenties. It’s a sadreality, but I’m grateful I was given a second chance.”
Second chance. Was this his second chance?Andrea had to be his forever. They’d come too far in theirrelationship.
Once they landed, he exited the plane andgathered his bags at baggage claim. He got a taxi despite thebustle of New York. Upon arrival at his hotel, he tipped the driverand entered the hotel lobby.
Lance checked in with the receptionist andcarried his bags to the elevator. His ride to the sixth floor wasalone. The elevator dinged in the background and he smiled at howChantelle hated elevator music. His muscles relaxed at the thoughtof her. Shaking his head, he dismissed the idea as he walked downthe hallway searching for his number plate.
Spotting his room number, he used his keycard and opened the door. Once he closed
