I'm Still Here

Heavy Eyes, Tired Heart

Late March 2014

Susanna's POV

My low heels clicked on the sidewalk as I wearily made my way across the church parking lot. Easter was next week, and I had been so dang busy my eyes were crossed. Things were moving forward with the investor, so Stephanie had been location scouting for us. I needed a week vacation just to sleep. I had blackmailed Steph to not tell mama about the cot I had in my office for naps since I was spending most nights at the bakery catching a few hours of sleep before running home to get a shower. Kenny had been preparing for a big case, so our little bit of dating had waned. Not that it really bothered me. That had been quickly going downhill in a hurry. I'd tried just couldn't make myself feel it.

I made my way in the church stopping to hug Granny Hale getting a pointed look in her sharp eyes that I strayed away from after kissing her cheek. I had just settled down into the pew beside Tiffany when Katie Benson turned around giving me a smirk. Closing my eyes, I silently prayed she would leave me alone. She had been the biggest bitch to me in high school. Made my life a living hell every chance she had gotten. Perfectly teased dark brown hair was idly flipped over her fake tan shoulders as an evil smile twisted on her lips. A look of fake sympathy in her eyes. Bitch was about as sympathetic as a spider is to a fly winding it into its web.

"How are you handling the news Susanna honey?" she drawled with fake sorrow. Tiffany laid a hand on my leg trying to keep me calm. Seems they all knew something I didn't.

"What news would that be Katie?" I asked through clenched teeth. The one day church was running late on starting. "I've been busy lately so no time for idle gossip. I have a business to run unlike some people who chase marriage for sport."

"Well seems you aren't the only one who has moved on from the previous relationship," Katie informed me with a smug smile. "Looks like BG has replaced you with the past. Or at least that is what I had heard. They were spotted...."

"Shut up Katie," I hissed not feeling this today. I couldn't hide how I really felt even though I wanted to. My heart literally felt like it was cracking. "I don't care what he does okay. I'm the one who ended things anyways."

"Oh you do care Susanna," Katie said with a snort rolling her heavily made up eyes. I pushed to my feet feeling my temper flare not caring that this wasn't the place. This bitch was pushing my buttons and relishing in it. I was about to give her what she wanted. A fist across her face right in the middle of the sanctuary. "You always had thing over him. I remember you drooling over him back in high school and not even in league with him. What ever would make you think you would be now? He's better off with her."

"You've got two seconds to hush it up before I make you," I snarled standing up. Katie pursed her lips at me with a quiet laugh thinking I wouldn't do it. I was about to prove her skanky ass wrong. I was in the middle of raising my arm to do just that when a firm grip wrapped around my left bicep yanking me out of the pew. I was whirled around and marched out the back doors hearing a flurry of whispers with each step. Well here went the gossip for the week. Feeling myself drug out into the spring morning, I yanked my arm out of the prison it was in snarling up at Brantley. "Get your damn hands off me."

"Oh I'm sorry,'' he grumbled crossing his arms over his chest returning my glare. The fire in those green eyes making my knees tremble. This was the first time we had been face to face since the day we spilt up. "Thought I was keeping you from catching an assault charge in the middle of the worship service."

"Was hearing all about your new girlfriend," I hissed pushing a hand into the middle of the gray t-shirt he was wearing making him rock back on his heels. I felt my eyes welling with tears that I couldn't tamp down due to exhaustion. Dammit. Not how I wanted things to go seeing him again. Preferred to be calm and aloof. Brantley's jaw clenched while he narrowed his eyes trying to step closer to me. God help me if even slipped an arm around me I would crumble into a bawling mess. "Or wait, guess if would be an old flame reignited!"