Chapter 11: The Special Gift

Trista’s POV

I quelled Salina. She was upset. She didn’t want to be here. And quite frankly, neither did I. Liam called the manager over. I recognized him immediately. He was the same manager that had thrown me out five years ago! I pushed down the nervous feeling in my stomach.

“Mr. Stonewood,” the manager said in a humble tone. “Will you be needing my assistance today?”

I squinted at him, but he didn’t recognize me. Fair enough. I was older now, and much prettier. Plus, I didn’t have those awful thick-rimmed glasses anymore.

“As a matter of fact, you can,” Liam said. Was it just me or did he look nervous? “I brought a ‘special’ guest to the store.” He emphasized the word ‘special’. Liam pushed me forward. “Don’t tell me you don’t recognize her!”

The manager studied my face for a moment, and then realization washed over him.

“Of course,” he said, clasping my hands and smiling.

“I brought her here to see the…the gift?” Liam was acting strange. He was definitely nervous. He kept wiping