His friend on the other end of the bar, Craig, rubbed at his buzzed haircut. “I got news. I may propose to Sylvia.”
“There goes another one,” Pete said, clinking his glass with Craig’s. “Am I the only one pledging bachelorhood?”
Grant pointed to Lance. “He did and look at him now. Nailed himself a supermodel.”
“I’ll toast to that,” Pete said. “Andrea is gorgeous.”
“Get your own woman.” Lance joked, knowing his friend meant no harm.
“Does she have sisters?” Pete asked.
Lance shook his head. “Only child.”
“All this time…” Craig said, “I thought Lance would marry Chantelle.”
Choking on his drink, Lance coughed at the comment. They didn’t know the full story. Not like Grant did. Craig and Pete knew of his past relationship with Chantelle, but not the marriage or the baby. He had Grant swear to secrecy despite it testing their friendship.
Grant patted his back. “What are you trying to do?” He asked Craig. “Kill the man?”
Craig raised his hands in a surrendered gesture. “They were close at one time, but if she’s not taken, maybe—”
“Didn’t you say you would propose to Sylvia?” Grant asked.
Craig pointed to Pete. “I was talking about this guy. Perhaps she can get him to settle d
own.”
“She’s gorgeous too.” Pete smiled. “Sweet.”
“She’s off limits,” Grant said.
“That’s not fair!” Pete exclaimed.
Lance swallowed his drink in one gulp. Chantelle with another man. A burning sensation took over his chest, and his muscles tightened. He figured she had dated, but she’d been out of sight. He didn’t live in Chicago, so he didn’t have to see her with another man. Dating one of his friends? How would he accept that?
He wanted her to be happy. She’d been through enough. If he was moving on, she could too and yet... he knew deep down she would always be his girl. Lance would never admit it to Andrea.
“I guess someone already beat you to it, Pete.” Craig pointed out as his head gestured to the booths on the other side of the bar. The group spotted Chantelle sitting across from another man. Lance’s lips parted.
“I guess there’s that,” Pete said.
“Since when does she know Javier?” Grant asked.
“Javier?” Craig replied. “He used to work at the car dealership in town. He’s cool.”
“What does he do now?” Pete asked.
“An artist, I think.” Craig added.
Lance ignored the pain in his clenching jaw. If only Chantelle didn’t throw her head back with laughter. Did Javier reach for her hand? He blinked. She was a grown woman. Lance could look out for her, right? Nothing more.
He remembered Javier. They even spoke from time to time, but seeing him with Chantelle brought up memories. Sometimes he spotted Chantelle talking to him in high school. Javier had eyes for her then. Not much had changed.
“I’ll leave her alone,” Grant said.
“Want me to check it out?” Lance asked. The group stared, and he shrugged. “What?”
“She’s your ex. You don’t think that’ll be obvious.” Pete pointed out.