Free Say You'll Stay by Corinne Michaels

winks and opens the door.
    The entire damn town is here. When I walk in, there are hoots and hollers all around the bar. I smile and duck my head at the unwanted attention. Nothing like being famous in this place. I glare at Wyatt. He’s dead meat.
    People approach me with arms open as we all reunite. I can’t stop smiling at the first to reach me. “If it isn’t the town troublemaker!” Trent Hennington jerks me into his arms and spins me around.
    “I’m still in shock they let you have a gun,” I say, laughing.
    He puts me down and cups my face. “You should be scared.”
    “Oh, I am.”
    We both grin. Trent is two years older than Zach. He was always that annoying older brother who thrived on making my life hell. He would sneak in on me and Zach and mess with us. It was his mission to embarrass me, and he often succeeded.
    “I won’t monopolize you, darlin’. You better stop by this week so you can test out my cuffs.”
    I snort. “You’re still a moron.”
    “One you love.”
    “You damn Henningtons need to learn humility,” I say. Trent and Wyatt are so full of themselves. It’s a wonder anyone talks to them. “Married?”
    “Hell no, woman. Chicks dig a badge.”
    I start to reply but my best friend from high school squeals and looks like she’s going to cry. Trent steps back at the sound. “You didn’t call!” Grace says as she rushes forward. “I didn’t know you were back until Cooper said something.” She pulls me close, squeezing as she continues on. “I’ve missed you so much. It was like you disappeared.”
    I lean back and smile. “I did. I needed to. I’m sorry though, I should’ve kept in touch.”
    “Honey, if I could’ve done it . . . I would’ve. But you know how it goes for most of us.” I do know. There’s safety in staying, and sometimes people can’t cut the cord that’s holding them. “Tell me why in the hell you came back.”
    Before I can respond my eyes look toward the bar. Everything stops. My heart. My breathing. My entire world stands still. Zachary Hennington stands there staring at me. He doesn’t move and neither do I. A tsunami of memories floods the room. Our first kiss, the first time we made love, the promises, the proposal, the love that filled our lives, and the pain when he left me. Not a muscle on him moves as he looks at me. I can see the questions pass between us.
    Is that really you?
    How are you?
    Why are you here?
    Why didn’t you call?
    Why did you leave me?
    Why didn’t you come with me?
    Where have you been?
    Do you feel this?
    What does it mean?
    Grace shakes my arm, and I want to scream. She must see the panic in my eyes and realizes what’s holding my attention. “Did you know?” she asks.
    “Know?”
    “That he lives here?”
    My head is light as I try to comprehend her words. “What do you mean?”
    She turns me so I can’t see him and loops her arm around mine. “He’s been back here for a while now. Probably about eight years or so. He took over his family’s business.”
    “I don’t—” I look over and this time he’s not alone. A woman with long black hair hangs on his arm. She runs a finger down his cheek and then looks right at me. I nearly choke when I realize who she is—Felicia Hayes. She gives a self-satisfied smile before returning her attention to Zach.
    Grace lets a puff out her nose. “She sunk her talons in quickly.”
    “They’re together?” I ask, already knowing the answer. Of all of the people in the world, it had to be her. Although I don’t have a right to care. She’s the devil, and in some small recess of my heart—he’s still mine.
    “About five years now. They’re not married though, which of course keeps us all talkin’. After that long why wouldn’t you? My guess is there’s someone else he’s still pining for.”
    I look back over, and he’s not there. My heart beats erratically as I look for him. Instead, I see Felicia heading our way.
    “Shit. The witch is coming,”