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“Oh Chantelle.” Her mother tilted her head to the side. “Are you sure?”
She bobbed her head. “We’ve been spending a lot of time together. I thought I could keep it professional, but when I went to the bar and grill with Javier, Lance was there with Grant and two other guys. I wanted to enjoy the evening out, but being with Javier only made me think about Lance.” She covered her eyes with her hands. “I’ve been saying it’s nothing, but I’m thinking it is.”
“What are you going to do? Tell him so close to his wedding?” Her mother asked.
Chantelle waved the comment away. “I can’t do that. It’s not fair to him or his fiancé. I’m hoping this will go away once I leave. Out of sight, out of mind.”
“So you’ll ignore what’s in your heart?” She folded her arms.
Chantelle sighed. “I can’t fall in love with him.”
“You’ve always been in love with him. You sneaking away to marry the boy proved that to me and your father. You were too young then, but you’re not a kid anymore. I think you know your own mind now. Lance does too.”
Looking away, Chantelle mulled over her mother’s words. There was a time when she loved Lance with every breath in her body. They would laugh and talk nonstop for hours on the phone. Silly grins would dance on their faces whenever they parted ways. He would even put his arm around her shoulder when they sat next to each other at the movies. What stole the show? His kisses. They weakened her knees every time.
Chantelle pulled her lips in. Despite the fiasco at prom, Lance made it worthwhile. He walked her to the door like the gentleman his father had raised him to be. Their fingers intertwined as they paced the concrete walkway.
“Have fun?” He had asked. “Besides the… you know?”
She had giggled. “I did. It was fun.”
He shook his head. “I still can’t believe I did that.”
She paused her steps and took his other hand. “It doesn’t matter.”
He raised an eyebrow with a smile. “Why’s that?”
Parting her lips, her heart poured out to him. “I love you.”
Lance’s face had slackened.
Chantelle squeezed her eyes shut. “I shouldn’t have said that.” She rolled her shoulders back. She needed to get inside before she further embarrassed herself. “Thank you for a fun night.” She pivoted to the door, but Lance kept her hand in his, bringing her back to him.
“Don’t be sorry, you caught me off guard.” His eyes softened. “I love you too.”
She beamed. “It’s not too soon?”
He kissed her, silencing all her doubts and fears. Drawing back, he whispered against her lips. “I don’t want the night to end.”
She had cupped his face. “Me neither.”
Lance had looked back at his car. Then stared into her eyes once more. “Come with me.”
“You know your father and I wouldn’t have let it happen, right?” Her mother said.
Tucking in her upper lip, Chantelle’s mind returned to the present. “I know, Mom.”
“I wanted to believe the Taylors meant well, suggesting adoption for the baby, but…” Chantelle’s mother shook her head. “I couldn’t live with myself, and I knew you’d resent us deciding for the both of you. Even if I had to raise the child as my own, it didn’t feel right giving it away.” She faced her daughter. “If you don’t think you should—”
“I can do it, Mom. I’ll be fine.”
Douglas entered through the back door. “Got some meat ready for me?”
Chantelle took her escape after acknowledging her stepfather with a simple nod.
Chapter 20
Lance stared at the gold nameplate on his father’s desk. The bookshelf behind it carried books that his father had collected over the years. The clock ticked on the wall, and a potted cactus sat in the cor
