“What are we going to do? Do you want to gothrough with this?” She had asked.
“I don’t know,” he had said.
She folded her arms. “You don’t know?” Shedidn’t look convinced.
“My parents are right. I don’t know how tohandle this.” He reached for her, but she held her hand up tohim.
“You know what, how about I decide for you?We’re done,” she had said. She stormed away to her compact car, butnot before he saw the tears in her eyes.
“I didn’t know you would be here,” shesaid.
Blinking, he brought himself back to reality.“Your brother invited me.” His gaze narrowed at his friend.
“For the record, she is early,” Mrs. Evanssaid. “Let’s go to the living room. Elise? Chantelle, you can helpme with setting the table.”
Dragging his feet to the living room, heplopped on the couch. Did he even want to stay?
“Sorry we caught you off guard.” Grant sat inthe chair opposite him.
“You knew she was coming home?”
Grant nodded.
“You didn’t think to warn me?”
“We thought she wouldn’t be here untiltomorrow. You know my sister.”
“You could have said something.”
“I think you two need to bury the hatchet.It’s long overdue. Besides, you’re getting married.”
Lance nodded. “Right. I’m gettingmarried.”
“Lance?”
Her smoky voice melted his heart as always,but he rubbed the back of his head to meet her gaze. “Yeah?”
She pointed to the foyer. “Can I talk to youfor a second?”
Lance rose to his feet to meet her. Hisheight still towered over her. She would fit his embraces when hewould hold and kiss her at the lockers in high school.
“What’s up?” he asked, stuffing his handsinside his pockets.
“How are you?”
“Fine and you?”
She tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “I’mokay. Chicago is great.” An awkward moment of silence passed. “Ineed to tell you something.”
“What?”
“I’m… I’m—”
“Dinner’s ready.” Mrs. Evans announced.
Lance rubbed at his chin. He could getthrough dinner. He didn’t want to disappoint her mother.
He walked past Chantelle and met the rest ofher family at the dining room table. He chose the seat next toGrant, making a mental note to talk to his friend later. Chantellesat across from him, her chair scraping the floor as she scootedcloser to the table. Lance grabbed a glass of water, hoping thecool liquid would ease his upset stomach.
“Help yourselves.” Mrs. Evans then opened herhands, palms up, and the rest of the family joined hands. Once theysaid grace, they served their plates.
“Douglas working late again?” Eliseasked.
“Yes, but he should be here soon,” Mrs. Evanssaid.
Grant cleared his throat. “It’s good to haveyou home, sis.”
“I’m so happy you’re back again, sweetie.”Her mother’s smile beamed.
Chantelle smiled, but it appeared forced. “Metoo. You told me to always come home, right?”
Her mother nodded. “You got that right. Neverforget where you come from.”
Lance ate in silence. He didn’t care to askher questions. He only wanted to eat dinner and get out. Thankgoodness Mrs. Evans’ cooking didn’t disappoint.
“So Lance, how’s Andrea?” Elise asked. “Ican’t believe Delta Heights is hosting a celebrity wedding.”
He swallowed. “She’s doing well. Workinghard.”
“As long as you got the tux, that’s all thatmatters,” Grant said.
Elise cocked her head towards him. “Everthink she may want him involved in the wedding plans?”
“We don’t care, Babe. I didn’t care aboutflower choices and the cake.”
Her mouth dropped open, but her grin gave heraway. “So... why did I cave in so our wedding cake could bechocolate?”
Grant shrugged. “I wanted chocolate.”
Elise looked at Chantelle. “Get yourbrother.”
She giggled. “He’s your husband.” Then herattention turned to Lance. “Lance, um... how’s work?”
“Busy. You?” he asked.
“Same.” Chantelle wiped her hands with hernapkin. “Actually, I wanted to say—”
His cell rang in his pocket. He lifted afinger to her. “Hold that thought.” If he didn’t answer his mother,she would leave a trail of voicemails. He excused himself from thetable and entered the living room close to the foyer. “Hello?”
“I need you here at the bakery. We need yourchoice of cake. I’ve already called Andrea, and she wants you tomake the ultimate choice.”
“Mom, I’m at dinner.”
“With whom?”
“With the Woods family. You know Istill—”
“Sweetheart, I’m sure they’ll understand thatthis is your wedding. Don’t disappoint Andrea, dear. I evenconvinced the owner to stay open a few minutes late in exchange forsome publicity.”
He wouldn’t hear the end of it if he said no.“Okay, I’ll be there soon.” He hung up with his mother. When hefelt a presence behind him, he turned to find Chantelle. She lacedher fingers together.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, I’m good. Look, I would love to catchup, but this wedding stuff won’t plan itself.” He stared into hereyes. “It’s good to see you, Chantelle. Tell your Mom I’m sorry Ihad to leave so soon.”
She nodded as he walked out the door. Hepaced the sidewalk for a moment. It was best to leave dinner early.Did he want to continue sitting next to his ex reminiscing? No.
Chapter 5
Chantelle watched as Lance left. Ripping hereyes away from the door, she caught Grant standing with his handsat his sides.
“You invited him?” She asked, releasing acleansing breath. How did she hold it together with him at thetable? She returned to the dining room. How much spaghetti did hermother cook? Her mother sat another pot on the table.
“He’s still a friend of mine. For the record,I didn’t know you were coming home today. Mom said tomorrow.”
“I know you’re still friends. I only wantedto tell him.”
“Tell him what?”
She sighed. “I’m not here for a regularvisit, Grant. I’m here for a story.”
Her brother cocked his head to the side.
“Did Lance tell you his wedding’s beingprofiled?”
He bobbed his head and then his eyes widenedlike saucers. “No way.”
“Yes.”
Rubbing the back of his bald head, hereturned to his seat at the table. “This can’t be good.”
“What?” Elise asked, carrying a pitcher oficed tea.
“Nothing.” Chantelle eyed her brother andmouthed. “Not one word.” She didn’t want to talk about it. It wasawkward enough.
He mouthed back. “No promises.”
Elise
