Then her phone rang. She avoided it for mostof the day, but seeing Cameron’s name on the screen buoyed herspirits.
“Are you okay? I’ve seen the posts. Peopleare heartless on social media. How are you?” Cameron asked.
“I’m not reading them anymore.” She coveredher eyes with one hand. “I don’t know why people are so cruel.”
“What did Brenda say?”
“She called again. I’m on probation untileverything clears up.”
Cameron gasped. “Why? You and I both know youdidn’t split these two up. You even said so yourself that youremained professional.”
Chantelle rubbed at her throbbing head. “Iknow, but the board doesn’t care. They have an image tomaintain.”
“That’s not fair. I hate when people like youget dragged through the mud.”
“Thanks,” Chantelle said.
“Do you need anything? I can take a few daysoff. I can come and visit and we can stuff our faces with icecream.”
“Mint chocolate chip?”
Cameron groaned. “Okay fine. Another favoriteof yours. I don’t know why you like that.”
Chantelle giggled. Her first laugh of theday. “I appreciate it. You don’t have to come, but…” She changedthe subject. “There is someone I wouldn’t mind introducing toyou.”
“Who?” Cameron sighed. “I told you no moreblind dates.”
“His name is Javier, and he’s a gentleman,”Chantelle said. “He also has a dog.”
“I love dogs!”
“I know, so it’s a perfect match.”
“Wait a minute, I haven’t even met thisguy.”
“You will when you visit me.” Chantelleclosed her eyes, refusing to let tears flow once more. “What am Igoing to do Cam?”
“Hang in there, okay. You’re one of thenicest people I know and your fans will stick by you no matterwhat.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“Call me if you need me.”
With that, she hung up and placed her phoneback on her bedside table. Tapping her fingers to her lips,Chantelle stood to her feet and grabbed her laptop. Opening it upto her saved article, she wrote. Her vision blurred as she typed.The keys clicked in her ears, but she pushed through until she cameto a stopping point.
Should she send it to Brenda? Her fingershovered over her keyboard. Was this story even worth sharing? Itwas, but what if it wasn't just for The Wedding Report?
She pushed her laptop to the side and grabbedher phone once more. She scrolled through her favorites and foundLance’s name.
5:26 PM… Chantelle: I’m sorry
Locking her phone, she walked to her closetand grabbed her shoes. With her keys in hand, she heard musiccoming from the kitchen. Peeking around the corner and through thedoorway, she saw her mother dancing with Douglas.
The Temptations “My Girl” hummed through herears, and she couldn’t hide the grin on her lips as she watched hermother glow from being in her husband’s arms. Pressing a hand toher chest, she stepped out the front door and to her rental car.Clutching the keys, she contemplated on where to go.
Instead, she stuffed the keys in her pocketand walked down the street. She came across an empty parking lot,only to notice the bushes and trees framing the lot. Chantellelooked up at the streetlights and power lines overhead, only tolook down at the blue paint designating parking spots. She listenedas the traffic moved past, an airplane flew overhead, and leavesrustled in the breeze. Wrapping her arms around herself, shecontinued on the street.
How would she fix this? Licking her lips, shewalked further down the street. She passed the post office and thepolice station and heard the honk of a horn. Coming to a four-waystop, she tapped her foot on the pavement. What more could shedo?
Before she noticed it, she walked in downtownDelta Heights. The one place that felt like home was only a fewblocks away. Delta Heights Press. She paced to the frontdoor, feeling the rush of cool air from the air conditioning.
Mr. Perkins stood a few feet away. His eyesbrightened. “Chantelle?”
“Do you have a minute?” She clutched herphone in her hand.
He led the way to his office, and Chantellemade herself comfortable in the chair. He had a cup of coffee onhis desk. There was always a coffee smell with Mr. Perkins.
“What can I do for you?” He rolled thesleeves up on his gray collared shirt. “I wasn’t expecting to seeyou.”
She gave a faint smile. “I’ve been thinking alot about what you said.”
He sat at his desk and folded his hands onthe top. “Does this have to do with the story going aroundtown?”
Chantelle’s mouth twisted into a grin. “Youcould always smell a story. Nothing gets past you.”
He smiled. “I wish it did now, but you haveto know this town thinks the world of you.”
“I know.” Her fingers grazed over her phone.“I have an idea.” She leaned in closer to his desk. “I want thetown to know the truth. At first I didn’t think it was anyone’sbusiness, but I want to take back control. It’s hurting too manypeople. Including Lance.”
“What did you have in mind?”
Chantelle opened her phone to her email. “Ifinished my story. It didn’t turn out the way I thought, but I wantDelta Heights Press to have a copy.”
“What about your job?”
She shrugged. “I think I’m as good as fired.Besides, this isn’t what I was sending them. This is about Lanceand me.”
“Well...” Mr. Perkins rubbed at his stubblechin as he perused her article. “We haven’t gone to print yet. Ithink this can be our feature story on our website bytomorrow.”
Chantelle raised an eyebrow. Just like oldtimes.
***
Lance packed his office the followingevening. His resignation was effective immediately instead ofwaiting for the rest of his notice. His cell rang nonstop fromreporters wanting the news on his canceled engagement. Never in amillion years did he predict a scandal.
He’d only been off the phone for five minutesand his phone rang again. Lance didn’t want to talk to anotherreporter, so he hit decline on his cell. Damage control was gettingto him.
Most didn’t want the truth, anyway. They onlywanted him to confirm the rumors. Was Chantelle pregnant? How longhad he been cheating on Andrea? It
