Page 5 of Snow One Like You

Ironically, I’m not a staunch believer in medication created by businesses. I know they do good, just as I know natural resources can also provide healing properties. I prefer the latter, yet use the former as needed. What can I say? I’m a product of the world I grew up in and that outside of it. I’m of neither yet of both.

Hurrying toward my car, a hybrid, of course, I rush to work, the traffic wizards on my side as I hit every green light on my drive. The day is looking brighter. You’d think I meant because of that lucky break. And while it helps, you’d be wrong.

Calvin is picking me up this evening for dinner. Probably not a good idea on a work night, but neither of us wanted to wait until this weekend. Throughout my shift, he sends me videos. Of cats. How the heck does he know I love felines? We didn’t speak of such things as those are first date get to know you topics.

I don’t have one at home, unfortunately, so there was no telltale fur on my clothing. I didn’t share any stories. I didn’t mention having to get home and feed her or him.

Maybe that’ll be part of our conversation over dinner.

What’s your favorite color?

Meal?

Season?

How’d you know I don’t prefer dogs? Honestly, I enjoy both.

Why did you ask me on a date?

The last one is the most important, so I probably won’t lead with it. Ease him in with the others, then slide it in. Dad and Mom may have taught me that trick. Appear unassuming and people will think you are. That’s when you strike.

My target, so to speak, unlike theirs used to be, is not something of monetary value. It could very well end up being priceless, though.

And I can’t keep him.

**Calvin**

“Where are you taking Snow White?” Nate asks.

“That’s not her name,” I remind him unnecessarily. He’s been referring to her by various surnames in his relentless attempts to discover the truth. There’s a genuine curiosity driving him to learn it, but it’s merged, almost equally so, with a professional one.

“Why won’t you tell me what it is?”

“You are not running her.”

“Worried I’ll find something?”

“No. You lost your mind a while ago and still haven’t located it.”

“It and his manners took off together. They were both tired of being useless.” I lift my hand above my head, offering and receiving a high-five from Marlon Cramer as he walks by our desks. Mine and Nate’s face each other, allowing us to work as a team during cases, exchange information as we receive it, and so forth. I snicker at Marlon’s accurate observation. Nate, however, is not amused.

“Seems like his sense of humor went, too,” Russell Wright, his partner, interjects.

Nate curls his lip, doing a not the worst impression of Elvis I’ve seen, in response to our taunting. “Wonder if the Captain has any undercover assignments on the books,” he mumbles, making us grin. Nate knows we’re busting his chops, just as we do that he actually likes doing that stuff. I did it once, discovered it was not for me, and never took another. Thankfully, there are enough officers here that are up to the challenge that my lack of acceptance is not missed.

“Hanging with us law abiding citizens getting boring?” I query. Being a cop is in his blood, as it is with the others in this room, but there’s a part of him thatishis blood. His father’s side tried to mold him to take over, yet Nate couldn’t. Wouldn’t. A piece of Nate, though, is drawn to the darkness the Morettis represent. Undercover work allows him to exercise those demons while remaining “within” the law.

“Fine,” Marlon relents. “We’ll bug Calvin.”

“You and the lady seemed to hit it off,” Russell states, picking up where Marlon led without any hesitation. Being that in sync is the sign of a good partnership. I should know, Nate and I are the same way.

If you haven’t guessed, Marlon and Russell were also at my table. Saw my eyes skim over Snow and immediately return to her. Witnessed my heart stop, plunging into free-fall, then starting once again when she smiled at me. If it hadn’t, I would’ve been calling my sister, telling her I was having an attack and didn’t think I’d make it. Informing her she’d be getting my extensive collection of keys. Yes, keys. I was forever losing mine when I was younger, so it became a running joke to bring me any they’d find ‘out in the wild.’ Mom even purchased an octagon shaped corkboard, complete with wooden frame, and included small nails to hang them on. Perhaps it’s odd that I kept it, and still add to it, but it’s a good memory.

“We did,” I confirm, thinking of the memories I hope to make with Snow.

“He won’t tell me her last name,” Nate pouts, unabashedly pleased the focus is off him and ready to throw me under the bus to maintain that change.

It backfires.

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