Page 14 of Make Her Mine

I keep from rolling my eyes. He still has everyone fooled about what a great guy he is.

He’s really fortunate that I never told my dad some of the shit he pulled.

My heart rate kicks up a little thinking about that. There were a couple of times I almost told my dad. But I kept it to myself for a number of reasons. Not because I thought my dad wouldn’t believe me. Probably because I knew my dad would.

And besides being a protective father, he’s also the town cop. He would’ve gotten involved on a personal and professional level. Zach would’ve been in huge trouble. The football team would’ve been in huge trouble. It would’ve caused a huge rift in town.

Now ten years later, I realize that those are not good reasons to cover up someone’s bad behavior, but again, I was a young girl who did believe that some of it was her fault.

Swallowing against the sick feeling in my stomach at the memories rushing at me, I follow Deanna as she leads us to an empty booth. There aren’t many. It’s busy in here, as usual.

Both Zach and I are greeted by nearly everyone in the building. We both smile, wave, and do the expected, “Hi. Good. How are you?”

Finally, we slide into a booth on opposite sides.

“I’ll bring coffee for you,” Deanna says to me, knowing my usual. “How about you?” she asks Zach.

“Hot tea, please.”

Yuck. Right there I know nothing could ever happen between us again.

I pretend to study the menu, even though I know it by heart, and am absolutely getting French toast. I don’t normally come to Dottie's for breakfast unless I’m with my parents and siblings. Dottie's is usually a lunch thing for me. But when I do come, it’s her French toast and a side of bacon.

“You look gorgeous,” Zach tells me, setting his menu down.

I’m wearing a basic green scoop-necked tee, denim shorts, and sandals. My hair is pulled back into a loose, low pony, and I have no make-up on. I look up. “Thank you.”

“Seriously. You’ve always been beautiful, but you’re gorgeous now. The last ten years have been really good to you.”

This is also stupid. It’s not as if it’s been ten years since he’s seen me at all. His parents lived here in Sapphire Falls for the first three years after he graduated, and he was home for holidays. He even tried to see me during a couple of those trips. He’s also breezed into town here and there over the years for homecoming, or the festival.

It has been a couple of years I guess, and I assumed he was busy with medical school and his residency, but I haven’t changed that much.

Maybe he’s fishing for a return compliment. That’s not going to happen.

“Thank you. I feel good. I’m really happy.”

Deanna returns with my coffee. Black, straight up, a little cinnamon on top. She sets hot water and tea bags next to Zach. “You want lemon or honey?”

He shakes his head. “I’m good.”

“I know what Harlow is getting, what can I bring you?”

“Denver omelet, wheat toast.”

Deanna doesn’t bother writing it down but says, “I’ll get it out as soon as I can.”

The moment she’s moved off, Zach leans in and says, “I don’t want to beat around the bush.”

I sit back and brace myself. “Okay, good idea.” Let’s get this over with.

“I want you back. I’ve thought about you constantly over the past ten years. I’ve changed. I am successful, settled. I know what I want. And it’s you.”

I stare at him. That is…appalling.

Even if I was interested in him, how the fuck does he know that he wants me? It’s been ten years. I hope we’ve both changed a lot in ten years. He doesn’t know me anymore. And I’m insulted that he thinks he might.

“I’m not interested,” I say simply, hoping that’s enough.

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