1:50 PM... Andrea: Aww so sweet babe.Thinking of u too. Hope to talk soon
One month. Lance would tie the knot in onemonth. It would be different this time. He was sure of it. He madethe right decision.
Lance checked the time once more. He wasleaving soon and didn’t want to be late for his flight. It was aturnaround trip, and he wanted to be back in time for the reportercoming from The Wedding Report.
Chapter 3
“You don’t have to do this.” Cameronreminded her. “You can pass this story to someone else.”
“I’ll be fine.” Chantelle assured her. “I’m aprofessional.” She had been repeating that to herself ever sinceshe arrived home to pack. Growing up in a town where everyone kneweveryone brought solace. She hadn’t been home since Christmas, soshe couldn’t wait to see her mother and brother.
After leaving town and graduating with aBachelor of Art’s Degree in English and a Master’s degree injournalism, Chantelle settled in Chicago, Illinois. Despite thebumps in her burgeoning career, she’d proven herself as anexceptional writer at The Wedding Report.
She turned from her closet, with herpeep-toed heels in her hand. A slight chill went down her spine.Voted most eligible bachelor three years in a row, Lance Taylor wastying the knot. Chantelle breathed.
“Chantelle?” Cameron interrupted herthoughts.
“What?” she answered.
“Can you handle this?”
Chantelle nodded. “Sure. I’ll do my job, andthey will know my column around the world. You know what kind ofpublicity this is for Delta Heights? For me?”
Cameron frowned. “I don’t know aboutthis.”
“You worry too much.”
Her friend shrugged. “I’m just looking outfor you.”
Chantelle smiled. “I appreciate that, butI’ll be okay.”
Chantelle hadn’t seen Lance since their highschool years. Next thing she knew, she was leaving for college outof state. The rest was too painful to remember.
How would she feel when she saw him again?Could she handle that he was marrying another woman? Had hechanged? Lance had professed his love for Andrea on TV and radiointerviews. That was a surprise since he was barely on socialmedia.
The tenseness in her stomach increased. “Whydo I feel so nervous?”
“Does he know you’re profiling him for thewedding?” Cameron asked.
“He will, when I see him. I’m still surprisedthe wedding is in our hometown.” Chantelle pointed out.
“You sure you don’t want—”
“I’ll be fine. I promise,” Chantellesaid.
Cameron pointed at her. “You better let meknow.”
Chantelle threw her head back with a laugh.“You know I will.” Her cell rang, and she saw her mother’s name.“It’s my mother.”
“I’ll talk to you later.” Cameron let herselfout.
“Hey Mom.” Chantelle paced the floor,ignoring the flips in her stomach.
“How are you? You’re not too busy, are you?”her mother asked.
“I’m doing okay. Just packing.”
“I can’t wait to see you! You’re staying withus, right? If you tell me you’re staying at the Bed andBreakfast—”
“I’m coming home, Mom. I wouldn’t do that toyou. Plus, I get to eat your cooking.”
Her mother laughed. “I know that’s right.What’s your diet anyway, out there in the big city?”
“I’m vegan.”
“What!”
Chantelle laughed. “I’m kidding. I amexercising more, so I’ve changed some things in my diet.”
“Uh, huh?” Her mother didn’t sound convinced,but Chantelle loved rattling her. “How’s work going overall? Areyou excited about the story?”
Chantelle swallowed. She walked back to herroom and sat on her sleigh platform bed. “I am. It’s a little...unnerving.”
“You’re a talented writer. Does he know?”
Chantelle sighed. “No. I don’t know what tosay to him. We haven’t talked in so long.”
“You’ve both grown into amazing adults. I’msure you both can handle this,” her mother said.
“That’s not all though.”
“What is it?”
Chantelle rubbed her free hand down her pantleg. “I’ve worked so hard to get here. I just want my work takenseriously.”
“They will. You just wait and see.” Hermother always knew what to say to encourage her. “I have to go,sweetheart. I have a meatloaf in the oven that needs to comeout.”
“Go ahead. Tell everyone I said hi.” She hungup and stared at the folded clothes on her bed. Delta Heights,Texas. Ready or not, she was going home.
***
“Pick out the invitations,” Lance’s motheradvised him as she held two decorative pieces of paper withscripted writing on both of them.
Jet-lagged, all Lance wanted to do was sleep,but he sat with his legs stretched out on his couch. He would takea break on his honeymoon with Andrea, but for now he had deals toclose. The last trip was to San Francisco.
Lance’s head gave in to the soft cushion ofhis couch, and the rest of his body relaxed. The day would endperfectly with his head hitting the pillow. Home. It deemed moreimportant than choosing an invitation.
“Call Andrea,” he said. “She loves thisstuff.”
His mother tilted her head towards him. Thecorners of her eyes crinkled. “I did, but it went straight tovoicemail. Face it, dear, she’s busy working.”
“I don’t know. The one on the left.” Lancegrabbed his briefcase and headed for his spiral staircase. Hismother only had a key to his house for emergencies, but soon hewould downsize his seven-bedroom house. He hoped Andrea would likehis idea of her moving to Delta Heights with him. For now, he tookadvantage of the space from his parents. He’d been on his own sincecollege, and he wanted to keep it that way until he married.
“I’ll call Andrea later.” His mother shookher head at him. “I hope you’re much more pleasant when thereporter gets here.”
Lance stopped in his tracks. “They’re notcoming here tonight, are they?” He wasn’t in the mood to begin theinterviews today.
“No, they’ll be here tomorrow at 9am sharp.Make sure you’re up, Mr. Night Owl,” his mother said, pointing afinger at him.
Lance descended the few steps he climbed andkissed his mother’s cheek. His six-two frame towered over her, buthe was no match to argue with her. He chose his battles, and somethings weren’t worth disputing over. “I’ll see you tomorrow. I loveyou.”
She patted his cheek. “I love you.”
Letting herself out the front door, Lance wasalone. He proceeded up the stairs. Entering his bedroom, he peeledoff his shoes and headed to his full-sized bed. Plopping on thebed, he
