“Yeah, I just forgot how… involved this town is.”
“You mean nosy.”
He chuckled. “You said it, not me.”
“Is there somewhere we can go so we can continue?” Chantelle held up her tablet.
“Go ahead.”
“Why did you wait to plan this wedding? Have schedules been that big of an issue?”
“We’re working on that. I know it looks like we’re planning this last minute, but Andrea picked the date that she was available. My mother’s been scrambling ever since. Now she wants me involved since Andrea’s not here.” He stared at her. “Don’t print that.”
She nodded. “I won’t.”
A mirthless laugh escaped Lance’s lips. “I’m surprised you didn’t take notes in there.” He gestured at Hilda’s shop. “With what she said, you should have enough to have the entire town talking.”
She rubbed at her eyebrow, wanting to blot out Hilda’s comment on Chantelle marrying Lance instead of Andrea. The thought only upset her stomach.
“The things people say,” Lance said.
“What?” Chantelle released a breath. Why did the comment make her lungs constrict?
Lance chuckled. “Hilda talking about… us.”
He couldn’t be serious. Not after everything they had been through. The trauma she’d suffered. Was it all a joke to him now? “Don’t do that.”
“Do what? We’ve avoided the subject long enough, don’t you think?” His voice was steady.
“How can you... are you kidding me?”
“What? What did I say?”
She huffed. “I can’t believe you would stoop that low. Are you brushing it off as if it meant nothing to you?”
His eyebrows shot up. “Meant nothing to me? Are you kidding? Chantelle, I—”
“You’re throwing it back in my face, aren’t you?” No point in holding back now. A painful tightness increased in her throat. Wasn’t she over it? Chantelle thought she made progress. Not if she dashed out of the community center after seeing the children play. Not after Lance laughed at their relationship as if it had been a mistake. Spots flashed in her vision.
Lance drew closer. He looked pained, but he didn’t lose eye contact with her. “Don’t you dare. Don’t stand here and tell me I didn’t care.”
She pointed at him. “I thought you would at least—”
“At least what? Come running after you?” He bit his lip as if he realized his slip up.
“All this time.” Her bottom lip trembled. She smoothed the front of her blouse. “I’m glad I know now. For the first time in my life, I know the truth.”
Lance’s eyes softened. He touched her arm. “Come on, let me—”
She jerked away as if his touch singed her skin. “Leave me alone. Just leave me alone!” She marched off in her heels down the sidewalk, not caring to hear another word he had to say.
Chapter 13
Lance tapped his pen on his desk, staring at the bamboo plant in the corner of his office. He couldn’t concentrate on his work. He’d been sitting in his comfortable chair for almost an hour with no progress. Should he call it a day and go home? Blowing out his cheeks, his eyes diverted to the landscape view outside the window.
The sun’s hue dimmed from bright yellow to a deepe
r gold as it sank below the horizon. Shadows lengthened and built, and shiny surfaces glowed with light. He wouldn’t trade the sight of Delta Heights’ sunset for any larger city in the world. Would Andrea enjoy the sight as much as he did? Would his gorgeous model appreciate the simple things?