Free Say You'll Stay by Corinne Michaels Page A

Grace says as Felicia approaches.
    I turn and look at the girl I never wanted to lay eyes on again. She’s aged but is still pretty. We both appraise each other in an instant. Her hair is almost jet black and hangs down right past her shoulders, bangs frame her emerald eyes, and she’s definitely had implants.
    “Hello, Presley.” Her sweet Southern voice does nothing to cover the bitch in her.
    “Hello, Felicia.” The smile on her face is fake, but then again, so is mine.
    She looks over at Grace with a scowl. “Grace.”
    “Bitch,” Grace replies without hesitation.
    This is another reason I vowed never to return. Felicia Hayes is the devil. I swear the girl has horns. Her life’s mission is to make people miserable. If anyone is happy, they are a target. I can’t imagine living with a black heart.
    She steps forward with a smug grin. “I heard you were back in town, and I couldn’t believe it. Bell Buckle hasn’t been the same without you here.”
    “It was tough staying away so long. I mean, living in the city with so much to do.” I shrug. She always talked about wanting to leave too. She planned to marry her way out of here, preferably with my then fiancé. I never understood her need for rivalry when it came to Zach.
    “I bet you were just lovin’ your perfect life. Which brings me back to wondering why you’re here now. Things not work out for you?”
    It takes every ounce of control I have not to slap her. She’s always been so high and mighty. She spent our entire childhoods trying to bring someone down. I never understood why she was so hateful. It seems that time has only intensified that trait. “I guess you could say not.”
    Her shoulder lifts as she turns her head to the side in a shrug. “So sad.”
    I could tell her that my husband died. But she wouldn’t care. Her fake sympathy is the last thing I want or need. I won’t give her ammunition to use against me later.
    “Well, Grace and I have some catching up to do,” I say dismissively.
    “Oh.” She looks over at the bar where Zach is standing. “I’m sure you do. Zach and I were saying a few weeks ago how much we’ve missed you.”
    “Bless your heart.” I clutch my chest. “I’m so honored you all were thinkin’ of me,” I reply with heavy sarcasm.
    “I bet you were.” Felicia turns and walks away.
    Looks like some people never change, although I didn’t expect much from a heartless wench. The thing about this town is that trying to avoid someone is like trying to dodge the rain—it’s impossible.
    Grace and I chat a little, a lot of people come say hello, and I begin to relax. Trent gets me to dance with him for a slow song, but I spend half the time looking over his shoulder at Zach. I can’t believe he’s here. If I’d known, I would’ve never come back, which is probably why no one told me.
    I head back to the table where Grace is sitting. Wyatt is flirting with some bimbo from another town—typical.
    “So why aren’t you married?” I ask, noticing she has no ring.
    She shrugs and holds up her left hand. “I’m picky.”
    We laugh and she tells me all about the guy she has been talking to. I can almost pretend that my life isn’t a mess right now. The atmosphere of the bar allows me to forget for a bit.
    “Is he from here?” I ask.
    “Pres.” Grace’s eyes nearly bug out of her head.
    “What?” Her gaze is locked on something behind me, and I can see it in her eyes. He’s here.
    “Presley.” His deep voice slides my name out like silk. I fight my body from responding like it wants to. He can’t have this control. I won’t let him.
    “Zachary.” I turn and struggle to keep it together.
    He’s the same boy I fell in love with at twelve. His eyes still hold the same intensity when he looks at me. My fingers tingle as Zach stands before me. He’s paralyzed me with one look. His light brown hair is a little shorter, his five o’clock shadow makes him more rugged, and his body is so much