a chance. Got to know him. The rest is history.”
Chantelle made her notes. “How did you feel when he proposed?”
Andrea touched a free hand to her chest. “My knees were shaking, but when he got down on one knee, I had to say yes. He’s amazing. I love how Lance cares about people. He’s very hands on with his job, making sure his clients are making the best deals. He cares about people. Even with his volunteer work, I know that he cares about the kids.”
Chantelle bobbed her head. “Have you two decided on where you’ll live? If I remember, Andrea, your house is in Los Angeles.”
“We’re still discussing it.” Lance’s jaw clenched.
Andrea stroked his arm. “I think we can at least let the public know our plans. You’ll be coming to live in LA with me.”
“You will?” Chantelle asked as her eyebrows rose.
“Nothing’s final. It would be nice to live in the same city. I know I said LA is great, but you can’t deny the community here,” he said.
“I’m not one for the small town life, Lance. You know that.” Andrea flipped her hair behind her shoulders.
“If you give it a chance, it might work.” He added.
“Why can’t you give the city a chance?” Andrea released her grip on his hand.
Chantelle pulled at her skirt, avoiding eye contact with them as they debated. Didn’t they discuss this before? The wedding was two weeks away.
“There’s nothing wrong with the city life, and there’s nothing wrong with Delta Heights. I like it here. It’s my home.”
“It is a great community,” Chantelle said. She didn’t know if it was a good idea to diffuse the situation, but she didn’t want to lose control of the interview. “Low crime rate, amazing schools, and a bakery that makes the best cinnamon rolls you’ve ever tasted.”
Both Lance and Andrea stared at her. Drawing back on the sofa, Chantelle lowered her gaze to her tablet. Twisting her lips, she wanted to disappear.
“You grew up here?” Andrea asked.
Chantelle met her gaze. “Yes, I…” She looked over at Lance. “I grew up here before leaving for college.”
Andrea gestured between Chantelle and Lance. “You knew each other before?”
Lance ran his hand down his face. “Yes. We grew up here… together.”
Andrea looked back and forth between the two of them. “Were you two friends?”
Chantelle swallowed.
Lance clasped her hand. “Chantelle and I knew each other in high school.”
Chantelle tilted her head to the side. He didn’t tell Andrea about them? They were more than friends. She was his wife. The mother of his child.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Andrea asked. “That would have been nice to know.”
“It was years ago,” Chantelle said. She hoped her voice didn’t sound cold, but Lance brushing off their past made her pulse thump.
“Did you two date?” Andrea gestured between them.
Lance stood and faced her. “Let’s talk about this in private.” He looked over at Chantelle. “Do you mind?”
She reached for her recorder and tablet, stuffing them back inside her bag. “No problem.”
Chantelle hurried to the door. Would Andrea want another reporter to finish the story? She would. What sane woman would want her fiancé’s ex-wife lurking around?
Chapter 22