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He slept for most of the flight. Lance didn’t even take out his laptop, but relaxed. He rubbed his eyes as the older woman turned in her seat to stare. He must have closed his eyes before she settled in her seat next to him. Thankfully, he got in a nap first. Lance hoped another would follow.
“You look familiar,” the older woman said. She tapped her finger to her chin, her nails painted in red polish. Her fair skin glowed despite the crow’s feet around her eyes. Her cornflower blue eyes squinted as she gaped at Lance.
He extended his hand. “Lance Taylor.”
She accepted the gesture. “Victoria Cruise.” Then she pointed at him. “I’ve seen that face.” She reached for an in-flight magazine. Thumbing through the pages, her eyes bugged. “That’s where I know you from. You’re marrying the model! Andrea Williams!”
Lance looked around to see if anyone was listening. He cleared his throat. “Yes, ma’am.”
“And respectful.” Her eyes gleamed. “I knew you were a gentleman.”
Lance smiled. “Thank my parents. They raised me well.” He ignored the twinge in his chest.
“Are you excited about your big day?” Victoria asked.
Lance didn’t care to talk for the entire flight, but he wouldn’t be rude. “I am.” That’s what he told himself despite the headaches the wedding planning brought.
“It’ll be over before you know it. The ceremony itself is less than an hour depending on what you’re doing. Marriage is the key. That’s when the work begins.”
“I’ve heard that.” He saw the commitment in his parents. Even his best friend found love with Elise, and Grant shared occasionally on how they make it work. It wasn’t a cakewalk.
“Don’t worry. As long as you both are willing, you can make it work.” Victoria patted his hand. “I was married for thirty years before my husband passed. Colon cancer. We had our trials, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Lance bobbed his head. “I’m sorry about your husband. Thank you for the kind words.”
She smiled. “I won’t disturb you anymore.”
He shook his head. “You didn’t. I’m glad there are marriages out here to inspire us.”
She nodded. “I wish I could say it was my first and only, but I divorced in my early twenties. It’s a sad reality, but I’m grateful I was given a second chance.”
Second chance. Was this his second chance? Andrea had to be his forever. They’d come too far in their relationship.
Once they landed, he exited the plane and gathered his bags at baggage claim. He got a taxi despite the bustle of New York. Upon arrival at his hotel, he tipped the driver and entered the hotel lobby.
Lance checked in with the receptionist and carried his bags to the elevator. His ride to the sixth floor was alone. The elevator dinged in the background and he smiled at how Chantelle hated elevator music. His muscles relaxed at the thought of her. Shaking his head, he dismissed the idea as he walked down the hallway searching for his number plate.
Spotting his room number, he used his key card and opened the door. Once he closed it behind him, he sighed. Then his phone rang—his mother. He figured another missed call wouldn’t sit well with her, so he answered.
“I’m not working with June Myers.”
“I see,” his mother said. “According to her, you yelled when you fired her.”
“I don’t recall yelling. If I did, it was to get her attention. The woman talks like a horse racing at the Kentucky Derby.”
His mother huffed. “Lance! I can’t believe you would be that unprofessional with a top celebrity wedding planner.”
“Look, I didn’t like what she presented. She cut me off. She cut Chantelle—”
“Chantelle? You took Chantelle with you? Why?” His mother asked.
“She’s profiling the wedding.”
“I don’t want gossip to spread around about you two. Almost everyone in Delta Heights knows your history with her. Try to minimize your time with her, please?”
“I have a meeting in the morning. Can we talk about this later?”
“Lance I—”
