With that, she hung up with her friend andtook her time climbing down the wooden ladder. She wrapped her armsaround herself as she made her way back to the party, only to stopin her tracks when she spotted Javier. He smiled and jogged to meether. Then he embraced her in a bear hug, and for a moment Chantelleclosed her eyes.
She clung to him tight, but it only made herwish he was someone else. Chantelle buried her face in his neck.Javier didn’t rush her but stroked her back. Why couldn’t she feelfor him the way he did for her?
“Everything okay?” He broke their embrace. “Iguess you needed that.”
“I did. Thank you.”
His eyes sparkled. “Anytime.” Then he touchedher cheek.
Chantelle swallowed as he inched closer toher face. Her heart hammered inside her chest. Javier’s other handembraced her waist. His fresh cologne tickled her nose. He’d beenthe perfect gentleman since they reconnected. She tilted her head,but only turned to face the other direction. Javier sighed andkissed her cheek instead.
“Too soon?” He asked.
She couldn’t tell him about Lance. Not now.All she wanted to do was forget it. Chantelle nodded.
“I understand. No pressure,” he said.
“Thank you.”
“I’m a patient man, Chantelle. You let meknow when you’re ready. Or... if you’re not.”
Her lips parted. Could he tell her heart wassomewhere else? She forced a smile. “I appreciate that and...” Shetouched a hand to his chest. “I’ll let you know. I promise.”
Javier kissed her palm. Chantelle smiledeasier and stared behind him at the crowd on the street. “Are theyserving dessert yet?”
“Follow me.” He took her hand and led her tothe dessert table. Though mint chip ice cream couldn’t solve herproblems, she still indulged in one of her favorite treats.
Chapter 21
The dance studio had high walls with crownmolding. Lance paced the glossy hardwood floors, as classical musicplayed in the background. Students chattered, waiting for theinstructor.
Dance lessons. Why did he agree to this? Hesighed. To make Andrea happy. Wringing his hands together, it wouldbe worth it to see her smile.
Then Chantelle appeared in the archedentryway. Leaving her jacket behind, her eyes scanned the room. Whydid the tier chandeliers glitter in soft light around her? She onlywore leggings with a short-sleeved dress, but the coral colorsaccentuated her skin tone.
She pulled her hair into a side ponytail, andshe wore heels. They looked lower than her typical ones. Hechuckled to himself. At least, she took precautions.
Then their eyes met. Like a distant starglimmering steadily in the darkness, she out shined the lights. Howlong did he stare as she approached him? He turned away anddiverted his gaze to the wall.
Things were going too far. After leaving herin the tree house, he went home immediately and called Andrea. Heragent answered the phone stating that he would have Andrea call himback. She didn’t.
Lance tugged at his collar. He shouldn’t haveinvited Chantelle to come with him. Correction. She invitedherself. Why did he let her? Then again, she offered to help,knowing his reservations about dancing. He breathed deep despitethe tightness inside his chest.
“Hey.” Chantelle greeted.
He pivoted to face her. Did she notice histense shoulders? “Glad you could come.”
Chantelle patted her stomach. “I’m still fullfrom all that food last night.”
He gave half a smile. His shoulders loosened,and he relaxed his body. “I had fun.”
“Me too.”
“Look… I wanted to ask you something.”
“Yeah, I got caught up in the fireworks.” Shegestured between them. “We’re friends, so I think we can forgetthat whatever happened is nothing major.”
So she thought about it? Why did his heartpalpitate at the notion? “I… I’m glad it doesn’t have to beawkward.”
She bobbed her head, despite tucking in herupper lip. Was there something she wasn’t telling him?
“Alright class.” The dancing instructorgestured for everyone to gather around. “My name is Carol and I’mexcited about tonight.”
Chantelle nudged his shoulder. “Youready?”
Lance flexed his fingers. “Let’s hopeso.”
Carol clapped her hands. “Grab your partner,and we will begin with a simple waltz.”
Chantelle turned to face Lance. He inchedcloser and embraced her waist with one hand. His other hand graspedhers. He caught a whiff of her hair. He couldn’t pinpoint the exactsmell, but something with mint in it. Her hand was soft, just as ithad been the other night. Lance licked his lips, refusing to lookher in the eye.
“Okay so far?” She asked. Was there shakinessin her voice?
He wouldn’t ask. He cleared his throat. “I’mgood.”
The music played, and Lance prayed that hedidn’t fall. Taking a step forward, he stumbled over his ownfeet.
“Try again.” Chantelle whispered to him.
Her breath tickled his ear, but he ignoredthe sensation. “I’d rather leave.” Lance whispered back.
She touched his face with her hand. “Let go,Lance. Don’t think about getting it right. Feel the music.”
“I can’t dance to this.”
“You have something against music that’s notR&B?” She giggled and covered her mouth.
He sighed and clasped her hand tighter.“Okay, I’ll try.”
Carol changed the music. “We’re going toswitch things up a bit. Have fun with this one. I’m just trying toget a feel of where everyone is. Consider this a freestyle.”
Chantelle nodded at her and then looked backat him. “Imagine it’s you and Andrea on your wedding day. She’s inher gown and you’re in your tuxedo. You’ve proclaimed your love infront of friends and family. Now, it’s your first dance.”
“Okay.” He stepped forward, this time keepingin sync with the beat of the song.
“You’re doing great.” Chantelle encouragedhim. “Just let it flow.”
They glided across the dance floor just asthe instructor played Anne Drury’s “One Step.” Chantelle’s eyesmaintained eye contact with him. He twirled her around and broughther back to his chest. Then he dipped her, and he heard her breathhitch.
“Nice move,” she said.
He smiled.
Then he stepped backwards, and she followed.Everything around them disappeared. He only saw Chantelle. Thepurest vision of light he had ever seen. His fingers laced withhers. She held it tight as he led her into the opposite direction.She flowed with his moves effortlessly.
She told him to imagine Andrea. He didn’t.Chantelle was the woman who weakened his knees. After all theseyears. Heat traveled up his arm as he held her close. She fit
