“So politics. Is that much different?”

“Is it really politics around here?” I laugh. No, it’s a lot of laughter and love. The mayor has been more of a mother to me than my own. Even her husband. Then there is Liza. I’ve never had a friend like her. We clicked from day one. I couldn’t imagine my life without her in it. In the three short years I’ve lived in this town, I’ve never felt more at home.

“You realize no one thinks you’re going to stay. Most people say this is just a mark on your resume. That you’re overqualified.” Now Marco is even up on town gossip. The man really misses nothing.

“I might be overqualified, but does it matter? I love my job. Isn’t that all that really matters?”

“No plans to leave then?” He doesn't answer my question but asks one of his own instead.

“No, but what brings you to Snow Hills, Marco? What did you run from?”

“I don’t run.”

“Then what are you doing here?” I cock my head to the side. As much as I’ve gotten Marco to talk, he’s gotten a lot more out of me about my life. I still know little about the beast of a man with a scar on his face that holds so much mystery.

“Five years ago I retired.”

“Retired?” Marco might be close to twice my age, but how is he already retiring?

“I was past my shelf life.” I eye him up and down, trying to figure out what the heck it is that he did for work.

“Did you play sports or something?” He’s big enough.

“Not any you’d know about.”

“I know what you’re doing, Marco. You’re being evasive.”

“I never thought you didn’t.”

“But you’re not really going to tell me anything, are you?”

“Not yet.”

“Not yet?” I repeat, not understanding. “Be more clear.” I hold my finger up before he can say something evasive again.

“Not until I get my hooks further into you.”

“You know we all joke you’re an ax murderer, right?” I deadpan.

“I didn’t say anything about an ax. I said hooks.” I don’t know why, but I burst into laughter at his response. It feels good to laugh. It’s been a long day. One I had no idea would end this way.

The more I get to know Marco, the deeper I fall. That scares the shit out of me. He might not run, but I can’t say the same for myself.

7

Marco

Fuck she’s beautiful when she laughs. I want to puff out my chest at the fact that I got her to do it. Sure, I’ve seen her laugh before. I both loved and hated it. I wanted to be the one to make her laugh, and now I am. What has this woman done to me? Honestly, I don’t care. I’m past the point of no return. I have been from the moment I laid eyes on her.