Why did Lance think it was a bad idea? “Mom, I don’t—”
“Don’t worry about it. You and Andrea will have the perfect wedding.” His mother hung up.
Lance clicked back over to Chantelle. “Are you still there?”
“Yes.”
“Sorry about that.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “You forgive me?”
“Yes. Do you forgive me? It’s been too long for us to hold a grudge against each other.”
His mind flashed again to the last time he saw her. Chantelle wore a hospital gown. The doctor had talked to him, his parents, and Chantelle’s parents. Abnormal chromosomes, particularly damaged ones, were the reason she miscarried their child. He didn’t understand it with Chantelle being so young, but the doctor told him there was no way to prevent problems from happening in a pregnancy.
Then he did the absolute worst thing. He suggested an annulment, at his parents’ bidding. Too heartbroken, he didn’t regard the consequences for his hasty decision. He had blamed himself and figured Chantelle would have been better off without him.
“Get out,” she had said. Her voice cold like ice. She hated him. He knew that much. He didn’t blame her, but what could he do to fix it? He couldn’t bring their child back. His parents were right. They were too young to handle it.
He had stepped forward. Could he make her understand? “Chantelle—”
“Get out!” She threw a pillow at him. Her eyes watered. “Get out!”
Lance exited her room. Nausea took over, and he ran to the men’s room. It was over.
He blinked, bringing himself back to the present. “I do and I agree.” Did she hear the hesitation in his voice?
“What’s wrong?” She asked.
“It’s... the first time we’ve said those words to each other.”
“You’re right. I guess we didn’t know what to say at first.”
She had to know. He had to tell her. “It’s not what you think. I didn’t forget, Chantelle. It hurt me too.”
“I know you didn’t. I assumed the worst.”
A light feeling took over Lance’s chest. The burden he had felt for ten years was finally lifting. “I hope now we can...”
“I’d like that.”
He smiled, grateful that she could always tell what he was thinking. He cleared his throat. “Do you think you can help me with something tomorrow?”
Chantelle answered. “What’s that?”
“I’ll text you the address. Meet me there.”
***
Chantelle sat next to Lance in June Myers’ office. A part of her hated that she cracked and called him, but did it matter who apologized first? This wasn’t high school anymore. No matter the pain, she would be the bigger person.
Her chest clenched hearing the remorse in his voice. She shouldn’t have thought the worst. He was right. They never talked about it. They parted ways.
Chantelle sighed. Those days were behind them. They could work together on good terms, and when he invited her to join him in meeting the wedding planner, she figured it would help with her story. That’s what was most important.
Myers’ Weddings was the best wedding planning company in town, according to an article Cameron wrote last year. Yet, the woman with the bob blonde hair cut, Louis Vuitton bag and Chanel shoes did nothing to impress Chantelle. Neither she nor Lance could get a word in once they arrived at her office.
Samples covered the table. From invitation designs, silverware, centerpiece selections, along with a DJ or band, and tabletops or banquet tables. Chantelle’s head spun, but she made her notes.
“Well?” June asked with her hands on her slim hips.