Forgive. Chantelle scrambled over hermac-and-cheese on her plate with her fork. Music played in thebackground of Delta’s Kitchen, and she inhaled the steam from a hotplatter nearby. The home-cooking restaurant always satisfied herstomach in the past, but her stomach only rolled tonight. WhenJavier called, asking her out to dinner, Chantelle agreed only totell him the truth.
“Everything okay?” He took a sip from hiswater glass.
“The food is great,” she said.
“You haven’t eaten it yet.” Javier set downhis fork. “Are you sure you’re alright? Is it work?”
Chantelle didn’t make eye contact. “I’malmost finished.”
“You don’t sound too excited.”
“I am.” Did her voice shake? Lifting her chinto stare at him, Javier’s eyes focused on her. He had to havesensed her unease. It was now or never.
She shook her head. “No. I’m sorry,Javier.”
“You don’t feel well? Is it the food?” Hisforehead wrinkled.
“It’s not that it’s... us.”
He sat back in his seat and raised his handto stroke his chin. “Things moving too fast?”
She focused her gaze at him. “You’re anamazing man. I know it’s still early and we’re getting to know eachother, but…” This was why she preferred writing. How did she puther feelings into words from her own heart?
Javier finished her sentence. “You don’t feelthe same.”
She rubbed her shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
He didn’t say a word for a moment. Then herested his elbows on the table. The thickness in Chantelle’s throatonly made it difficult to swallow.
Javier answered. “I understand and Iappreciate your honesty.”
“You’re welcome.” She folded the napkin fromher lap and set it on the table. “We can leave if it’s too awkwardto stay here.”
He didn’t answer.
“I enjoyed getting to know you. I’llunderstand if you didn’t want to see me again,” she said.
His eyebrows shot up. “Nonsense. It doesn’tmean we can’t hang out as friends.”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
He reached for her hand. Chantelle complied,grateful he didn’t storm from the table. Javier’s thumb rubbedagainst their clasped fingers. “It’s disappointing, but I’m gladyou told me the truth.” He flashed a beaming smile. “I was soscared to tell you how I felt in high school, I didn’t want to missanother opportunity. Even if you didn’t feel the same way, I wantedto try.”
She touched her free hand to her chest. “Idon’t know what to say.”
He leaned in and kissed her hand. “You don’thave to. Thank you for giving it a chance.”
“So we’re good?”
He winked. “We’re good, Chantelle.”
“Well, I didn’t expect to see you here,Chantelle,” a familiar voice said.
Chantelle lifted her chin to spot Lance’smother. Her eyes bugged. What was she doing here? “Mrs. Taylor? Ididn’t expect to run into you.”
“This is the best restaurant in town. It maynot be upscale as others, but the food is delicious.” She facedJavier. “I’m Mrs. Taylor and you are?”
“Javier Flores.” He shook her hand. “Pleasureto meet you.”
Mrs. Taylor smiled, releasing her grip.“Well, I won’t keep you. I’m having dinner with my futuredaughter-in-law. You met Lance’s fiancé, right Chantelle? AndreaWilliams. Famous model.”
“I have. He’s lucky to have her,” Chantellesaid, ignoring the itching on her scalp. Typical of Mrs. Taylor torub Lance's relationship in her face. Chantelle wasn’t good enoughfor him, and his mother never hesitated to remind her. Andreaseemed to fit the bill. Mrs. Taylor got what she wanted, but didshe care about her son’s happiness?
“Don’t I know it? They are perfect for eachother.” She then waved. “Enjoy your evening.”
Pressing her lips together, Chantelle shuther eyes for a moment. She needed to go home. Now.
“Are you okay?” Javier asked.
She forced a smile. “I’m great. Why?”
“Is there something I should know?” Javiercocked his head to the side.
“She didn’t approve when I dated herson.”
“Wow.”
She blew out her cheeks.
Javier nodded. “I think I understandnow.”
She picked at her plate again with her fork.“Understand what?”
“You’re still in love with him,” Javier said.“I know enough about love to recognize it.”
Chantelle’s pulse raced. “He’s gettingmarried.”
“He’s not married yet.”
Her breath caught in her throat. “No. Ishould have kept my distance from him, but that’s my fault. I won’tsabotage his wedding. Besides, his fiancé is nice. Andrea is one ofthe decent celebrities who doesn’t mind taking selfies withfans.”
Javier raised an eyebrow. “I’m not saying tobreak it up. I’m saying to be honest with the man. He deserves toknow the truth, regardless if he picks you or not.” A smile builton his face. “Although I will say he would be a fool not to chooseyou.”
“You haven’t seen his fiancé.”
“Beauty is only skin deep.”
Chantelle licked her lips, but it did nothingfor her dry mouth. Could she tell Lance how she felt with it soclose to the wedding? Time was running out, so she needed todecide—fast.
Javier called for the check, and he escortedher home. Chantelle unclicked her seatbelt, and he walked her tothe front door. She reached inside her purse for her key.
Javier took her free hand. “I hope you makethe right choice.”
“Me too.”
He inched closer. “Stop me if you want to,but I’ve dreamed of this moment since the first time I sawyou.”
She smiled. “I think I owe you one sinceyou’ve been nothing but amazing.”
“I just want you to be happy.” He stroked hercheek. “I’ll miss you when you leave.”
“I hope you find a woman that loves you foryou.”
His eyes gleamed. “She’ll have a tough act tofollow compared to you.”
Chantelle didn’t pull away this time. Javierdidn’t rush her, but when he pressed his lips to hers, she smiledagainst his lips. She kissed him back, knowing it would be theirfirst and last. When she drew back, his mouth fell open.
“Wow.” He released a deep breath.
Chantelle giggled. “Goodnight, Javier.”
“Goodnight, beautiful.”
Chantelle unlocked the front door and wavedto him before closing it. Leaning against the closed door, sheheard Javier’s car start, and the humming engine fade as he droveaway.
***
Chantelle dressed for a run the followingmorning. She would usually stick to her simple treadmill walks, buttoday she went full throttle and jogged. She’d tossed and turnedthe night before. Nightmares of crashing Lance’s wedding floodedher mind.
Dreams of running down the aisle andobjecting during
