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“A lot on my mind.” She straightened and sprinkled seasoning salt on the hamburger meat.
“How’s the article coming?”
Chantelle stared at the floor. “It’s coming.”
“Something wrong?”
Chantelle’s hands paused. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
“You don’t have to prove anything to me. You know that, sweetie.”
She looked over at her mother. Chantelle knew she could talk to her. Even when she had to tell her she was pregnant at eighteen, she’d been brave and told the truth. Her mother’s face had dropped, but she had held her daughter close.
“I don’t know what to do,” Chantelle said. Tension released from her body.
“About what? Working with Lance?” Her mother’s thin eyebrows rose. “I could have told you that.”
Was it that obvious? “How so?”
“The history you two share? Give me a little credit, sweetie. He bolted out of here when he saw you. I can only imagine his attitude since you’ve been working together.”
Chantelle’s mouth twisted into a grin. “You’re not wrong about that. We’ve gotten better despite our... history.”
“Are you ready to talk about it?”
She shook her head. “My job is what’s most important right now. But...” She wiped her hands with a dishtowel. “My boss wants the story to have more edge.”
“It’s a wedding. What’s so edgy about that?” Her mother sprinkled the hamburger meat with onion powder and kneaded it to mix the spices as one would knead dough.
Chantelle explained. “Lance is pretty much a celebrity. While there are those that love a happy ending, my boss wants me to make the story realistic. I think she wants me to let our audience in on some of Lance’s secrets. Like if there’s trouble with him and Andrea.”
Her mother replied. “I don’t think Lance has anything to hide. He is a private person, so I can understand if he doesn’t want all of his business in your article. You respect that, no matter what your boss says.”
“But I can’t stop thinking that revealing more would have to include... me.”
Her mother stared at her. “This article is about him and Andrea. You and Lance were a long time ago.”
“Times are different, Mom. People can find anything nowadays and ruin somebody on social media.” She sighed. “Perhaps I should have passed on the story. I—”
Her mother stopped her. “They picked you and that’s final. I think to a certain degree Lance may be more comfortable with you since you know each other.”
Chantelle leaned against the counter. “I’m only starting to regain his trust.” She gave a mirthless laugh. “It looks like his fiancé wants to waltz at their wedding, so he’s taking lessons.”
Her mother chuckled. “Poor Lance. I remember your stained prom dress that night. How did you two bump into the punch bowl?”
Chantelle giggled along with her mother. “I guess we were having fun.”
“You always brought out the best in one another.” Her mother moved to the sink to clean her hands.
Chantelle’s feet shuffled on the hardwood floors. “It’s worse, Mom.” Her voice choked.
Her mother faced her. “What are you talking about?”
Despite biting her lip, the tears brimmed in her eyes. Without another word, her mother embraced her. Chantelle rested her head on her mother’s shoulder, while her mother patted her back.
“Tell me, sweetie.”
Breaking the embrace, Chantelle wiped her eyes. “I think I’m falling for him again.”
