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“It’s a surprise.” Cameron grinned.
***
Chantelle admired the green space with lakefront parks to the east. She loved the gorgeous scenery from the second floor of her apartment and the lush foliage. Going through the iron gate, she climbed up the concrete steps of the brick building. Entering her abode, she placed her keys in the basket.
Blowing out her cheeks, she proceeded to her open concept kitchen. In her refrigerator, she grabbed her leftover homemade mac and cheese, grateful her mother taught her how to cook. Grabbing the Tupperware container, she transferred the cheesy elbow noodles to her plate.
Chantelle placed her plate in the microwave to heat her snack. Pacing her vinyl floors, she rubbed at her chest. She would return to her hometown in Delta Heights, Texas, and stay for the rest of the month leading up to Lance Taylor’s wedding. She would interview his fiancé. Chantelle carried her heated plate over to her small table, despite her fidgety hands.
Her fingers tingled along with her toes. Be in the same room with the man who broke her heart? Chantelle had to. She’d already agreed.
Brenda had expectations, and she expected Chantelle to follow through and write an interesting article. Swallowing a bite from her plate, she heard a knock at her door. Giving a slight smile, she answered to greet her neighbor Mr. Freemont, who reminded her of the well-known actor Morgan Freeman. The older gentleman held up another book in his hand.
Chantelle focused her eyes to read the title. “Crime and Punishment?”
“Another classic,” he said with a wink.
She accepted it with a nod and grabbed the small journal from the side table next to her front door. She handed it to Mr. Freemont. “Tell your wife thank you for the recipe for the mac and cheese.”
“If you make it like she does, you’ll land you a husband any day now,” he replied, taking the journal in hand.
“Thank you, but not holding my breath,” she joked. “Besides, I’m good on my own.”
“You’re beautiful with a good heart. The men in your generation need to come to their senses.” Mr. Freemont added.
If only they saw her for more than her looks. Chantelle swallowed and smiled. “I hope they do too.”
He winked and waved goodbye. Chantelle closed the door after him.
Walking back to her seat, she resumed her meal. Perhaps she could ask Brenda for a transfer. Sure, she worked hard to prove herself, but this was asking too much. Grabbing her buzzing phone, Chantelle spotted a number with no name. She recognized it despite deleting it a month ago. Why was Bryce calling?
“Yes.” Chantelle answered.
“Hey,” his baritone voice said.
“I have a busy day, so I can’t talk long.”
“Are you okay?”
If only he wasn’t sweet about it. “I’m fine. Thank you.”
“I am sorry, Chantelle. I didn’t mean half the things I said. I hate the way things ended.”
She rubbed at her forehead. “I’m sorry too.”
“You think we can still be friends?” he asked, sounding hopeful.
“I can’t do that, Bryce,” Chantelle said.
“I understand. I wish you the best of luck.”
“You too.”
She hung up and resumed her mac and cheese. Another failure. Chantelle would have to start over. Did she want to? Wasn’t one divorce under her belt enough to deal with? She held up her fork to her mouth, only to hear persistent knocks on her apartment door. Only Cameron was that tenacious, so Chantelle opened the door to her friend.
“You’re not dressed?” Cameron asked with widened eyes.
“Can a girl eat first?” She joked back and grabbed her plate to wash it in the sink. “Where are we going?”
