Page 17 of Snow One Like You

“Wait, are you upset that I’m not mad or that I stole your thunder?”

Good question. “Both, I think.” If he already knows…Of course. “My parents told you.”

“Yep. Even held out their wrists, waiting to be handcuffed.”

“Oh my gosh.”

“It was entertaining,” he admits with a grin.

“Why didn’t you say something earlier?”

“Why didn’t you?”

“I was scared,” I confess. “Your turn.”

“It’s not important.” I sputter at this nonchalance regarding their previous criminal activity. Granted, they never physically hurt anybody, but they were far from innocent. “Snow, I’ve always known there are gray areas. I’d just never encountered it personally until now. For me, your dad and mom fall into that.”

“But…?” Why am I arguing with him about this? I don’t want them to go to jail.

“No crimes were reported involving them from what I could discern of their pasts. Which means no witnesses have come forward, if there are any.”

I snicker, despite this not really being a laughing matter. “There wouldn’t be.”

“They’ve assured me since leaving that kind of life behind that they’re upstanding citizens, pay taxes on time, and haven’t received so much as a parking ticket. And I believe them.” I breathe a sigh of relief at this, knowing this could’ve gone so differently. “Besides,” he continues, “I can’t exactly arrest the grandpa and grandma of our future children.” He gives me a few minutes to process that bomb, each time he mentions us taking these steps making my heart so happy, before moving on. Sort of. “Could always build a house,” Calvin suggests.

“Overall, probably around the same price as buying one.”

“We’ll have to look into it if the next few aren’t what we want.”

“Good plan. Not sure I want to wait that long, though,” I admit. Each of us have the space in our respective apartments for the other to be there comfortably. However, it doesn’t leave much room for anything else.

“I can ask my parents if they know of any listings.” They adore their son and daughter and have no problem sharing how proud they are of the accomplishments of both. Howard and Sandra Wells greeted me with hugs and his mom offered to show me all the baby pictures while Calvin’s dad patted his back in feigned sympathy. I say that because Howard then reminded his wife not to forget the one in the den. When Calvin and I left, I had his mom’s number and the promise of a coffee date soon.

Which had Calvin worrying what the two of us might get up to together. Then when Sandra suggested inviting Brewster, too, Calvin declared I had enough friends and that we had to go. Making the three of us laugh at his unease. His mom might have instantly created a group text for the ladies where Brewster promptly scheduled a lunch to get to know me since she couldn’t make it to the dinner.

“They’ll only look close to them.” He laughs, though he doesn’t correct me. He can’t. It’s the same reason we decided not to see if my parents wanted to help in our search. And it’s geographically impossible to live near both of them. The only compromise is to be in the middle, which we haven’t ruled out. Our preference, however, would be to find something within proximity of the station. It just makes sense considering his hours aren’t exactly set in stone like mine.

“We’ll find it,” he promises. “Until we do, living on top of each other has its perks.” He waggles his brows, making me laugh.

“You’re right.” I take a deep breath and release it, allowing me to admit, “I’m stressing for no reason. It'll work out when it’s meant to.” Another hand squeeze lets me know he understands, and agrees.

His phone rings, interrupting whatever we might’ve said next, which is good as I’m not sure where to go from here. Keep looking, I assume, and hope we find it soon.

Turns out, it’s sooner than either of us could’ve ever imagined. And with the help of the person we least expect it from.

**Calvin**

“Hey,” I greet Nate after answering my cell. It’s not unusual for him to call me, being my best friend and partner for years, but it is odd right now as he knows Snow and I are checking out various listings with our realtor. “Can you come over?”

“Snow and I just left a showing. Give me a few to take her home?”

“Bring her. This concerns her, too.” There’s something in his voice that’s worrying me.

Determination.

I know what brings that out in him.

A case and an undercover assignment.

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