“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,” 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.