Erin’s brows rose in surprise. “Wow,” she said. “It’s been… a long time.”

Caleb strolled over to her and without words, wrapped his muscular arms around Erin’s waist. His proximity sent a blanket of warmth cruising over her skin and although Erin wanted to push her face into his chest and revel in his embrace, she hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. Her hands were mid-air trying to contemplate returning his warm greeting. Finally, after seconds of prolonged thinking, Erin acquiesced, letting her arms settle around his back.

They stood there, for what felt like the longest moment of Erin’s life. They held each other with no words between them. The beat of Caleb’s heart thumped in a staccato rhythm, and just as quickly, as if it were meant to, Erin’s matched his. A cologne wafted from him; something spicy but sweet and all enticingly male. Erin closed her eyes and inhaled him, creating images in her mind that didn’t belong there; images of love, and happiness… images of marriage and babies… images of a happily ever after that was cut short too soon for unknown reasons.

Caleb’s arms tightened around Erin, as if any looser he’d lose her forever. It was the same way she felt when Erin saw him walk through the door moments before. But their break up was on Caleb, so this sentiment Erin didn’t understand. She needed to break from him. It was polite to at least say ‘hi, I’m glad you’re okay.’ But, Erin was supposed to say that then send him on his way. No prolonged hugs, no plans for a date night, no ‘baby your home’ with a squeal and a shout. Yet, Erin couldn’t force herself to move away from him. Even after all the conversations she had with herself about the way he broke her heart, cut her off from his world, and shut her down as if she meant nothing to him, Erin couldn’t let him go.

Wasn’t it enough that he’d made plans to enroll in the army without so much as a thoughtful explanation to her? How much could a girl take? Thinking about these things gave Erin just enough strength to pull her arms from his back and brace her hands against the solid wall of his chest for a slight push. It wasn’t much, just an indicator that should’ve informed him that the hug was over, and she wanted to be released. But instead, Caleb pulled back just enough to comb his gray onyx eyes over her features and in return Erin did the same.

They stared at each other, still wrapped solidly in one another’s arms. Their lips were a mere breath apart when finally, Caleb spoke.

“I’ve missed you so damn much,” his baritone voice drummed.

An exhilarating thrill of chills coated Erin’s skin. How was she supposed to respond to that? Her mouth wavered half open and half closed trying to conjure a rebuttal that would be nice enough without making Caleb feel like she’d missed him too. But it was useless. The truth was, Erin did miss him, so bad she couldn’t stand it. But instead of confessing this, she decided to give him a hard time.

“Are you sure it’s me you’re missing?”

With that, Caleb frowned, and his lips thinned as his eyes dropped half-mast.

“Who else would I possibly—”

“I don’t know,” Erin shrugged. “Just not me.”

This made Caleb pull back even further, enough to where their chests were no longer pushed against each other and Erin could breathe again on her own.

“Erin…” His voice thundered with a deep groovy melody. Again, the mention of her name from his lips caused her blood to warm and her nipples to painfully harden. “I know I have some explaining to do.”

Erin shook her head thoroughly. “Save it,” she said. Her anger was beginning to rise and now was not the time or place.

Caleb stared at her and Erin was now wishing he would just go away. She couldn’t take his meticulous examination much longer. The door to her office opened and Dex walked inside.

“Erin, I’m heading down to put Mr. McCallister out.”

Erin frowned then turned to peer out at the bar. Mr. McCallister was arguing with Amy and like the vibrant tough woman Amy was, she stood defiantly with a hand on her hip, refusing to give Mr. McCallister another drink. Quickly, Erin’s hands went to her earpiece.

“Amy, what’s going on?” Erin asked.

“You don’t get to tell me how many drinks to have!” Mr. McCallister was shouting. “I’m a grown damn man woman! This place is for people to come and drink, am I wrong?!”

“You’re over your limit, Mr. McCallister.” Amy said.

“Don’t worry I’ve got it,” Amy responded to Erin.

“I’m on my way down,” Erin added.

She removed herself from Caleb then strolled to the door seconds behind Dex. She paused then stopped and turned back to Caleb who she assumed was still standing behind, but in reality, was on her heels.

“I’m coming, too,” Caleb said.

Erin nodded then turned to walk away when Caleb caught her arm.

“And for the record, this isn’t over,” he promised.

For longer than she should’ve, Erin stared at him, allowing her thoughts to tussle around the words he spoke. Shaking out of her reverie, Erin turned around and Caleb released her as they both marched down to the first floor to handle Mr. McCallister.

“No, no, noooo!” Mr. McCallister yelled. “I will not leave!” He beat his hand down on the counter in a tight fist. “Who’s going to make me, huh?” Mr. McCallister pointed to Amy. “You?” He snickered, “I’d like to see you try that.”

Dex proceeded to grab Mr. McCallister when Caleb interfered.

“I got it,” Caleb said. “Mr. McCallister,” his authoritative voice boomed.

Mr. McCallister turned to Caleb’s voice and his eyes widened. “Heeey, you look familiar. Damn, you either got a twin or you’re Raymond’s boy.” Mr. McCallister peered at Caleb closer, leaning in to get a good look at him through his drunken haze. “Yeaaaah,” Mr. McCallister held out a finger again. “I haven’t seen you since you were yay high.” Mr. McCallister motioned with his hands the height level he’d last seen Caleb. “I’m glad you’re safe, son,” Mr. McCallister slurred. “And sorry about your relationship with Er-Erin,” he slurred more. “The whole town heard about how you guys broke up.” Mr. McCallister hiccupped. “That poor girl wouldn’t come out the house for weeks. Honestly, I thought she’d died inside the house she’d been in there so long.” Mr. McCallister whistled. “Uh, anyway, glad you’re back, son. Come, sit down here and have a drink with me. Amy here’s going to get me another.”

Mr. McCallister didn’t have a clue that Erin was standing on the other side of him. Even as his wobbly grin spread across his face and he took a glance around the place, still he didn’t pay her any mind.

“Mr. McCallister, Amy can’t serve you when your drunk.”

“Who says I’m drunk?”

Caleb gave Mr. McCallister a knowing look. A wide wonky smile took on a guffaw as Mr. McCallister laughed.

“Alright, alright, so I’m a little drunk, I’m not hurting anybody.”

“And we’re grateful for that,” Caleb continued, “but if you want more, you’ll have to sit here and sober up first.”

Mr. McCallister huffed. “What’s the fun in that?” He mumbled something unintelligible and hopped down off the stool. “I guess I’ll just grab a taxi then. No use getting sober only to turn around and get drunk again. I’ve got a half a gallon of bourbon in the cabinet at home anyway.”

Mr. McCallister staggered as he tried to gain his balance and Caleb reached out to stop his fall. Mr. McCallister patted Caleb's hands.

“Thanks for helping an old man out.”

“It’s not a problem.”

“I see you’re still the same old caring young man you’ve always been. Eh, except I’m sure Erin doesn’t feel that way, but still, good boy.” Mr. McCallister patted his hand again.

Caleb glanced at Erin and her emotionless face told him one of two things. Either she didn’t care about what Mr. McCallister was saying, or she was doing a really good job at masking her emotions. Either way, Caleb would make it his mission to fix the damage he’d done.