Page 8 of Snow One Like You

Calvin

November 17th…

What I saw on that case lingers, but Snow’s empathy, her soothing presence and the comfort she so freely gave, have helped ease it. Of course, it could have been worse, and I have been involved in some of those, too, yet this one got to me quite hard. Perhaps it’s the knowledge of what could have happened as opposed to what didn’t that’s messing with me so. Or maybe all I’ve seen simply chose that moment to combine into a sucker punch of epic proportions. It happens that way.

It could be either, both, or neither.

What I do know is that my first impression upon meeting Snow was correct.

I need her.

Our first date didn’t go at all like I’d planned or hoped. I’d intended to woo her, old-fashioned though it may be, to give her a taste of what being with me will be like.

But instead, she showed me what being with her will be like.

And I want that for the rest of my life.

That thought alone could have those who know me best side-eyeing me, wondering exactly what recreational products I’ve been indulging in. I’m not prone to leaping into things. I set a task and I painstakingly take the steps to accomplish it. Not my decision to refuse to enter the “family business,” so to speak, not my choice of career, not taking the path to leave behind my position in uniform to get my shield.

So why am I doing so in pursuit of a relationship with Snow?

Because it’s meant to be.

Just as those other paths were. It merely took longer to get there while it was immediate after meeting Snow.

There was no inkling of whatcouldbeifI took the chance.

It was only whatwouldbewhenI did.

It’s a knowing that I will never regret. A surety that can’t, won’t, be denied.

This evening, we’ll have our second first date.

Everything will be as it was two days ago as I’ll pick her up. It’s the steps afterward that’ll be different. I’ll drive us to dinner, we’ll talk about topics of my choosing and hers, strengthen the bond that’s already formed, and then I’ll take her home.

There I’ll place a gentle kiss on her lips, if she’ll allow it, and return to my own residence, wishing like hell she was in my arms as I close my eyes.

Because I know, as I fall asleep later on, I’ll find her in my dreams, at my side where she belongs.

**Snow**

With a sense of déjà vu, I’ve prepared for my date with Calvin and am awaiting his arrival. When it comes, he’s all smiles, only a hint of sadness remaining in his eyes.

And he’s very happy to see me. His arms wrap around me, holding me close. “I missed you,” he informs me.

“I am quite awesome,” I smugly quip.

“Yes, you are,” he agrees as he drops a kiss on my forehead. It’s chaste, in the grand scheme of things, yet so full of affection that I could swoon. Which is so not my thing, being raised to be an independent woman and all, but for him, I’ll convert.

“Not so bad yourself,” I tell him, cheeks heated from the blush his words caused. Calvin plays coy, dragging the tip of his shoe through my carpet, no doubt on purpose to make me laugh. It works. “And a sense of humor to boot? I hit the jackpot.”

“You did,” he concurs. “Convenient as I did, too.”

“Since we’re both so lucky,” I begin, “perhaps we should blow this popsicle stand and visit Vegas.” I’m teasing, of course, and I assume he knows that, yet he actually seems to be debating it.

“Raincheck?”

“Okaaaay.”

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