Page 20 of It's Not Home Without You

My deepest apologies for succeeding in life.

“Well hello there,” I said low enough for Emma and Jess to hear me. I didn’t know the man walking in, but he was hot, around my age, and carried himself with confidence. Brown hair, nice beard, warm brown eyes that looked kind, well-built, good height this guy was one of the best looking guys in town. Hunkalicious. He reminded me of someone, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

“Hello, welcome to Emma’s Coffee where we serve the best coffee in town. How may I help you?” Was I flirty? Yes, I was. I needed a little appreciation from the opposite sex. My most recent ex-boyfriend cheated on me with half a city, my other ex-boyfriend was dating my high school nemesis. I needed something to give me that glee that came from getting compliments from a handsome guy. I needed a distraction, so I leaned over the counter just a little, giving him my best smile—the smile I used to win my customers over when they were scared to be daring. A smile that had gotten me out of many speeding tickets.

The new hunky guy laughed at my flirtatious behavior. “Ah, a new face. I’ll have my usual. Emma knows just how I like it.”

Both Jess and I turned to Emma who stopped what she was doing and froze like a deer caught in headlights. I was a little disappointed just for a second, but then I beamed with glee at the thought of Emma and the hottie in front of me. They’d be so cute together.

“Well, Emma will make it justhow you like it, won’tyou, Emma?” I used the same suggestive tone as him. Emma was beet red, but Jess was cracking up.

“I’ll get to it,” Emma mumbled, her head down, looking at the floor like it was fascinating.

The guy studied me, making me feel uncomfortable. “How do you like our town?”

“I’m not new here. Born and raised. I moved back for now.” I held out my hand. “Freya Pratt.” When he shook my hand, I saw the badge on the side of his pants and the concealed weapon at his hip.

“Dex Hendrix.”

“Detective? Did good ol’ Timmy finally retire? How many cops in the precinct, still eight?”

“More like eleven, and you mean Chief Timmy.”

“Here you go, Dex.” Emma handed him the drink without looking at him.

He said bye to Jess and me then. “I’ll see you around, Emma.” I waited until he left the coffee shop before I turned around to jump with glee.

“Oh my God, Emma, he is dreamy, and he likes you.” I was nudging a blushing Emma who kept denying that the prettytown cop had a thing for her. I didn’t see how she couldn’t see it when it was freaking obvious.

“He wants to date you. He wants to—”

“Fuck you.” Jess wiggled her brows at Emma.

“That too, but for the record, I was going to say kiss you.”

“He’s nice, that’s all,” Emma tried to convince herself. Meanwhile, Jess gave me a funny look that told me that thecop probably tried flirting with her all the time, and she didn’t notice. That didn’t stop me from being so happy for Emma that I danced around her softly singing “Emma and Dex sitting in a tree.” I had forgotten I was wearing a crop top, and it had risen just a little, revealing a hint of skin, but it wasn’t like I was at church anymore.

“Oh my God, I heard you were back, but I justdidn’t believe it.” I stopped midsong and looked up at Abigail Newton, who was standing in front of the counter looking me up and down.

“What can I get for you, Abigail?” my voice was a little clipped.

Just a little.

“A black coffee two sugars,” she said, looking sourly at Jess.

“That’s it,” I said without thinking. “You come to the best coffee shop in town, and you order a black coffee? I’m not going to lie and say it’s not creepy. I read in a study that people who drink black coffee tend to be psychopaths,” I let my mouth run. I knew I messed up by Abigail’s angry glare and Jess’s soft laughter.

“Don’t worry, Emma. I don’t expect this one to have any manners. You should work on your customer service skills if you want to keep this job. There aren’t many available in town.”

Augh. Bitch much?

Emma was bringing Abigail her drink when I felt him. I knew it in the way the air seemed to go thin. I stoppedbreathing when Max, who had yet to notice me, walked up to Abigail and rested his hand on her lower back.

Familiar.

I shouldn’t watch, but I couldn’t make myself to look away. Through the years, I told myself that it was okay if he moved on. I wanted the best for him, but seeing him now with her, I didn’t realize how much it would hurt. Seeing him hold her, I felt the loss of him holding me. I was cold even though I’d been without his touch for seven years. Wondering if he moved on was one thing because I didn’t put a face to the woman who would take his love. To the woman who would take my place, but seeing it—brutal. It left a scar you couldn’t see, but you felt it every time you breathed.

Sharp pain.

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