Groaning, she silenced the sound, but it onlyreturned. Then she spotted her boss’ name. Brenda? Chantelleanswered despite the sleepiness still in her voice.
“Why are you and Lance all over socialmedia?” Her boss asked.
She perked up at the question. “What?”
“I’m looking at it, Chantelle. It’s all overFacebook, Twitter, and don’t get me started on the hashtags onInstagram.”
Chantelle rubbed her head. “Brenda, I don’tknow what you’re talking about.”
“Then tell me. What’s this I hear of Lance’sengagement being off with Andrea? Her publicist released astatement an hour ago that the wedding’s off. Now they’ve leakedpictures of you and him.”
Chantelle put her on speakerphone andsearched Lance’s name. There it was in black-and-white. “ReporterSteals Bachelor from Bride.” Her stomach plummeted. As shescrolled, her eyes widened. “Brenda, I promise I had nothing to dowith Lance’s dissolved engagement.” The hashtag that trended was#homewrecker. Chantelle exited the apps since the other names weretoo offensive, some calling her stupid and desperate.
“So you knew this and didn’t think to reportit to me?” Brenda asked.
She pressed a hand to her forehead. Spots inher vision increased along with the nausea. “Everything happened sofast. You know me, Brenda. I’m not a home-wrecker.”
“So explain to me why the press have youkissing Lance Taylor? Looks like a theater?”
Chantelle didn’t notice anybody follow themon their date. Was she that wrapped up in Lance that she didn’t payattention? “It’s true. We were out together last night.”
“Chantelle.” Brenda released a deep breath.“This is not good. First the wedding is off, and now you’re makingout with the former groom.”
“I didn’t tell you all the details but...Lance and I... were married. It was a long time ago, but we...rekindled some things.”
Silence.
“Brenda?” Definitely fired. Might as wellaccept Mr. Perkins’ offer, if he didn’t care about being caught upin the scandal too, associating himself with her.
“I don’t know what to think. You put themagazine in jeopardy. Your reputation as a writer is at stake heretoo. They’ll play on your sexual harassment story. They can twistit to fit any narrative they want. This is bad.”
Chantelle’s heartbeat raced. What was shegoing to do? How would Lance take the news? He already hated beingin the public eye. This here would boil his blood. “I can’t tellyou how sorry I am.”
Brenda sighed. “If I were you, I would stayoff social media until the magazine releases our own statement.Talk to Lance and see what he says. We can try, but I don’t knowhow we’ll clean up this mess. Social media is not forgiving.”
With that, she hung up and Chantelle scurriedto her feet to shower and dress for the day. The chest painsincreased as she finished buttoning her shirt. She repeated toherself that everything would be okay. Would it, though? A suddenfeeling and overwhelming sensation of dread took over. The presswasn’t forgiving. She knew that too well. A knock on her bedroomdoor disrupted her thoughts.
“Who is it?” She asked.
“It’s me.” Her mother peeked her head throughthe door. “Lance is here.”
Chantelle swallowed despite her dry mouth.“I’ll be right there.” She combed her hair and left to meet Lancein the living room. She gave half a smile when they made eyecontact, but judging by his flaring nostrils and his crackingknuckles, he wasn’t happy.
“What’s going on?” He asked.
“Who told you?”
“Doesn’t matter. I want to hear it from you.”His voice had a bite to it. If Chantelle didn’t know any better,she’d think he was angry at her.
“Someone leaked information about... you andAndrea breaking up. There’s… pictures of you and me together. Itlooks like they took them from the diner, the dance studio, and thetheater last night.”
The tightness in his eyes increased.
She raised her hands in a surrenderedgesture. “I had nothing to do with this.”
He sprung to his feet. “How am I supposed toknow that?”
What? “Excuse me?”
He pointed to her. “You said that you wouldwrite this story no matter what. Your fans need to knoweverything.”
She pressed a hand to her chest. “You think Ileaked this? Do you know what they’re calling me on social media?I’m a home-wrecker breaking up the power couple of the year.”
“I didn’t want to do this stupid article! Itwas Andrea’s idea, so I went along with it. After everything I toldyou. After last night, you... you do this?”
He couldn’t be serious. Not after everythingthey had shared. “I can’t believe you think so little of me! I gaveyou my word. No, I didn’t leak this to the press. No, I didn’t dothis to further my career. Why would I? Yes, my boss wantedexclusives and inside information, but I didn’t tell heranything.”
“So how did it happen? Tell me.” His eyeswere cold.
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t?” He was being sarcastic rightnow?
“Why would I lie, Lance? Don’t you realizewhat this does to me? My reputation is on the line as a reporter. Icould lose my job for this!”
“Tell me I wasn’t alone last night.” His eyessoftened somewhat. “You didn’t lie to me, did you?”
“I would never lie. I came here for my job. Idid that. I didn’t plan on falling in love with you again, but Idid. I never stopped.” Her bottom lip trembled. The tears werecoming, but she would finish. “I would never sabotage what wehave.” She took a chance and stepped forward, cupping his face.
“Chantelle—”
“He’s still in there.” She cradled his face.“The boy I met years ago. He’s one of the best men I know. He has akind heart. He knows the truth when he hears it.” Taking one of hishands, she placed it on top of her racing heart. “He knows me.” Hervoice choked. “You know me, Lance.”
He shut his eyes for a moment, but then mether gaze. “And you know me. Better than anyone.” He sighed as hisshoulders drooped. “I… I need to think this through. This is a lotto deal with.”
Chantelle dropped her hands from his andfolded her arms. “I know. Me too.”
Despite the slight grimace on his face, atleast his eyes didn’t burn in anger. Perhaps she got through to himfor now. Chantelle wanted him to stay, but she
