She shook her head. “I know how you feelabout it so… no.” She gave a half a smile.
Gesturing to the seat across from him,Chantelle took a seat. “How have you been?”
“Okay, and you?” She asked.
“Getting there.”
Chantelle rubbed at her forearms. “I’m comingalong with the article in case you’re wondering.”
“I wasn’t.”
“Oh.” Her shoulders slacked.
He leaned over the table. “I didn’t mean itlike that.” Lance rubbed at his head. “A lot on my mind.”
“Want to talk?”
He saw her eyebrows draw together, and theway she tilted her head to make strong eye contact with him. Lancereplied. “I put in my two weeks’ notice at work.”
Her eyes bugged. “You didn’t?”
“I did. Don’t mention that in thearticle.”
“I won’t.” She paused and rested her hands onthe table. “What are you going to do?”
“I think I want to go full time with Amelia’sfoundation. I have no clue how it’ll work, but I think I’ve foundmy passion. It’s either that or the community center.”
“What about your dad?”
“I only worked there to get his attention. Hehasn’t been the same since losing my sister. Neither him nor mymother. I’m tired of pretending. I don’t think they know they stillhave a child left.” The words left his mouth before he could takethem back. Yet, he didn’t feel the need to shield himself from her.Chantelle always listened. She never judged.
She reached across the table. “I’m sorry,Lance.”
The graze of her fingers made his breathhitch. He pulled back. “Thanks.”
She drew in her bottom lip between her teeth.“Want the best seat in the house for the fireworks?”
“You know a place?” He teased, glad shelightened the mood.
She gestured for him to follow her, and theyslipped away from the crowd. He followed Chantelle to her house,and through the fence to her mother’s backyard.
“The tree house?” He asked.
“Not scared, are you?” She grinned.
He climbed up behind her, and they settledinside the doorway, with their legs dangling off the edge. She’dbeen right about the best seat in the house. The sun had just set,so the stars displayed against the velvet background. A few cloudsblocked the moon. When the firecrackers went off, both he andChantelle smiled. Various colors danced in the sky, sizzling as itdissipated.
Sitting this close to her, warmth spreadthroughout Lance’s body. His hands rested on either side of him onthe wooden planks. Was that her hand next to his? He couldn’t tell,but his hand shifted anyway. His pinky finger caught hers and for amoment his body went still. Then another one of his fingers latchedonto hers. Before he knew it, their hands intertwined like astranded cord.
Why did it feel safe? Why did it feel likehome? His lips parted to ask her what it meant, but she pulled awaythis time. Clearing her throat, she folded her arms. He should haveknown from the start. She felt nothing for him. Even if she did, itdidn’t change the fact that he was marrying someone else.
Lance released a heavy breath. He was a foolto think otherwise. Andrea was coming into town. He didn’t knowwhich day, but she shouldn’t find him holding hands with hisex-wife.
“I should go,” he said.
“Yeah, I’ll see you at the dancerehearsal.”
He bobbed his head, and without another word,he climbed down the nailed boards. He didn’t look back as hemarched to his car. Whatever they had died a long time ago.
***
Chantelle sat with her arms crossed over herstomach. Watching him leave stung like a frozen lash. He held herhand. The heat from his strong fingers singed her skin, and shedidn’t want to let go.
Why did she take his hand? Why did he reachfor her? How her hand fit in his clasp. The world disappeared intothe distance like a hazy sea. She heard the firecrackers in thebackground, along with the cheers of her friends and her mother’sneighbors. Still, all that mattered was him.
Feeling his touch felt so familiar, yetexhilarating. It had been too long. The last time they touched ledto a night that changed everything.
Then she pulled away. It was a mistake, butwhy did she rub a palm over her heart. It shouldn’t have crossedher mind again, but it creeped in her mind like a snail. She saidshe’d never ask, but why didn’t he come after her?
Chantelle shut her eyes. It was her fault.She didn’t give him a choice that night at the hospital. The sadthoughts came and went after hearing from the doctor she hadmiscarried. Then Lance told her it was best to split and end theirbrief marriage.
Her stomach had burned.
“Get out!” She had shouted. Her eyes swelledfrom crying. She didn’t want to look at herself in the mirror fordays. As soon as she was well, she left for college. Leaving behindDelta Heights. Leaving behind Lance.
He never called. He didn’t come after her. Itnever crossed her mind how he felt. He’d only lost his sister ayear before. That loss was the catalyst for him finally opening upto her.
Who did he run to when she left town? Grantdidn’t tell her much. He never bashed Lance to her, despite himbeing disappointed in their choices. Chantelle groaned. The soonershe left town, the better.
Then her cell rang, and she reached insideher pocket. Seeing it was Cameron, she answered. A pep talk fromher friend was what she needed.
“Hey how are you?” Did her voice waver?Chantelle wanted to remain calm.
“What’s wrong?”
She closed her eyes for a moment. “Nothingjust doing my job.”
“Why don’t I believe you?”
She swallowed. “I’m being honest…”
“It’s me, Chantelle. Talk.”
“I’m… having a hard time keeping my personalfeelings separate from my work,” she said.
“Oh, wow.”
“Yep.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’ll do my job and come home.”
“Don’t you think you need to tell him? Willit be worth it, to be honest?”
“Not with his wedding around the corner.”
“But you’re falling for the groom…”
Her voice choked. “I can’t. We’ve beenthrough this. We had our time, and it didn’t work.”
“I’m sorry, Chantelle.”
“I should get back before my mother sends asearch party for me.”
Cameron giggled. “What’s that poppingnoise?”
Chantelle looked up at the colorful sky.“Fireworks. Town summer kickoff.”
“Sounds like fun.” Her friend sighed. “Try toenjoy yourself. I’m here if you need me.”
“I know.
