Chapter Seven

"What do you say?" Chloe said prompting Emma.

"Thanks Lance." Emma said.

"No problem." Lance replied. "I had fun."

"Me too." She replied over her shoulder as she ran upstairs.

"She’s a doll." Lance said.

"Yeah, she’s a keeper." Chloe added, suddenly feeling incredibly guilty.

"Well, I better get going." Lance said.

"Right, thanks again." Chloe told him.

"Sure. Bye." He said heading toward his car.

Chloe turned around and was headed back into the house…almost home free.

"Chlo!" Lance called.

"Hmmm?" she asked.

"Well, it’s just that there’s this dinner party thing on Friday…and if you weren’t doing anything maybe you’d go with me." He said.

Everything in Chloe’s head told her no. If she just left things as they were right now nothing would become complicated. But try telling that to her heart.

"Okay, I’ll see if Jamie can baby-sit."

Lance’s face broke out into a smile.

"Okay."

***

As Chloe climbed into bed that night her head was racing. Suddenly the four past years seemed like a huge mistake. Why had she run? She always justified her choice by saying it would have ruined Lance’s career, but now she realized may have ruined something even bigger. Without even thinking about it she picked up the phone and dialed Jamie’s number.

"Hello?" Jamie asked.

"Hi, it’s me." Chloe replied.

"What’s up me?"

"Can you watch Emma on Friday night?"

"On one condition."

"What is?"

"Will you tell me where you’re going this time?"

Chloe sighed. "Actually that’s why I called."

"Okay…"

"I have a date."

"Oh! With who?"

"Lance."

"My boss Lance?"

"The one and only."

"So sparks started flying the night he brought you’re purse over?"

"No, I already knew him."

"You did? And you never told him?"

"We dated…things didn’t end well."

"He broke your heart?"

"No, the opposite."

"I’m not sure I understand what’s going on."

"Me either."

***

"Thanks for watching her Jamie." Chloe said.

"No big deal." Jamie said.

"We won’t be too late." Chloe told her.

Jamie nodded.

"Bye Mommy. Bye Lance." Emma said.

"Bye sweetie." Chloe said giving her a hug.

"Bye bye Emma." Lance said waving.

The two walked out the front door and towards Lance’s car.

"I’m really glad you said you’d come along." He told her as they drove towards the party.

Chloe looked down at her hands, still unsure about this situation.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

She quickly looked up. "I’m fine."

The rest of the ride passed by in an uncomfortable silence. They arrived at the party and not two seconds went by before…

"CHLOE!!!!!" Justin screamed running towards her picking her up and spinning her around.

"Jesus H Timby." She said secretly smiling at his excitement.

"Chlo! How are you doing sweetie?" Chris asked giving her a hug.

"I’m fine. Good to see you." She replied.

"There’s my girl." JC said greeting Chloe.

"Joshie!" she exclaimed throwing her arms around him. "Nice hair."

"It’s my new look. Think the girls will dig it?" he asked.

She stifled a laugh at his curly mop. "Of course. Where’s Joey?"

"He had wedding plans to attend to." Justin said. "Come on, we’ve got a table all picked out for us."

She turned to look at Lance. "Ready?"

"Sure." He replied taking her hand as they followed the other men to the table.

Lance was pleased with the entire situation. He hoped bringing Chloe back into her old circle of friends would help convince her that maybe they could start over.

***

"So Chloe, what have you been up to the past four years?" Justin asked.

"Jeehz J. You make it sound like I’ve been gone forever." She replied.

"Well, listening to Lance these past few years it’s felt like forever." He joked.

"Thanks Justin." Lance said with a roll of the eyes.

"Anyway, I’ve been in school. I’m going to get my degree in education." She said.

"Going to teach the kiddies just like you always wanted." Chris said.

"Exactly. I’ll be done in May." She told him.

"So what’s new on the boyfriend front?" Justin asked.

Lance shot him a look. Could Justin be any more obnoxious?

"Oh no. I had a relationship right after I got out here, but it didn’t last." She said.

"That’s too bad." Justin replied giving Lance a ‘you still have a shot’ look.

Lance shook his head. The boy didn’t know when to give up.

***

"Night Chloe." JC said. "I hope you see you around more often."

"It was great seeing you tonight JC." She replied. "I didn’t realize how much I missed you guys."

Justin coughed loudly and Chloe rolled her eyes.

"But of course I missed you the most Justin." She told him.

"That’s my girl." He said with a smile.

***

"Just like old times huh?" Lance asked as they pulled into her driveway.

"Definitely. Some things never change. I forgot how much fun we us to have before…" she said trailing off.

"Look Chloe." He said turning to face her. "You don’t have to tell me why you left, granted I’d like to know but that’s not the point. The point is somehow we were brought back together and I think it’s fate. Chloe, you and I belong together and I’m not about to let you get away again."

And with that he leaned over and kissed her. Suddenly years upon years on memories came flooding back.

"I never stopped loving you Chloe." He told her.

She could feel tears forming in the back of her eyes. Why had she done what she did four years ago?

"Chloe? Are you crying?" he asked with a voice full of concern.

She quickly wiped her eyes. "I’m sorry. I have to go. Thanks for the lovely evening." She said opening the car door and running inside the house.

Chapter 8