“Chantelle? What are you doing here?” She had asked.
“I was um... looking for Lance.” Chantelle had backed away. She returned to her car.
To her surprise, Lance found her at their usual spot. Chantelle had been sitting on the hood of her car.
“I thought you might be here,” he had said.
She didn’t respond. They said what they needed to already. Their parents already weighed in on their decision.
“Chantelle, I’ve been thinking.” He had inched closer.
A tear spilled down her cheek. No response.
“I think I know how to fix it. It’s crazy, but I think we can do it. Together.” He had reached into his back pocket. Chantelle’s eyes had widened.
Now, as she stood in Hilda’s Floral Arrangements, it grated on her nerves. Some idea. It didn’t solve their problems. They meant it to remedy their poor judgement. No such luck.
“You’ve been waiting long?” Lance asked.
Chantelle didn’t even hear the door chime at his arrival. She must have tuned out while remembering their high school years. The year they fell in love. The year their world shattered.
“Not too long.” She cleared her throat. “Is everything alright?”
“They’ve instructed me to find bird of paradise. Is that even a flower?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.
Chantelle giggled. She might as well enjoy the happier moments. “Yes, it is.”
“Well, let’s ask Hilda if she carries that, or if they’ll be here in time if we order it.”
She followed him to the counter, ignoring the fresh scent of his cologne as he brushed past her. Where did that come from? “Sure.” Did her voice croak?
“Hilda, make my day and tell me you sell bird of paradise.” Lance rested his elbows on the front counter.
“We sure do. When do you need them?”
“June 29th.”
Hilda’s arched eyebrows rose against her smooth olive skin. “Well… that’s short notice, but I think we can make an exception for Delta Height’s most eligible bachelor.”
Chantelle noticed his jaw flinch.
“Thank you for making the time to work with me,” he said.
“I could have sworn that you two would be the ones getting married,” Hilda said as she typed on her computer. “Although, I will say, Andrea Williams is quite a catch for you. I’ve always wanted that smooth hair like hers. Do you know what type of hair products she uses?”
Lance’s mouth fell open.
“I don’t know if she’s disclosed that information, Hilda,” Chantelle said. “Besides, you know Lance and I were a long time ago.” Only a select group of people in town knew the full story.
Hilda shrugged. “I can’t wait to meet her. I hope she’s nice since not all famous people are.”
Chantelle nudged Lance away from the counter. “Thanks so much for your help, Hilda.”
She waved, flashing her bright smile. “My pleasure.”
By the time they made it outside her shop, Chantelle heard Lance dispel a deep breath. He ran his hand down the back of his head.
“Are you alright?” She asked.