"Marci."
"Hmm?"
"What did you think would happen when I got home?"
She takes a breath and sighs noisily.
"I've been trying to talk to you, but that hasn't gone well, so I thought I'd just surprise you and seduce you."
"How did you come up with that plan?"
"The heroine from one of my romance novels did it. It worked for her. Except she didn't drink half the bottle of cider to calm her nerves."
"Why do you think I make you nervous?"
"Because you are gruff, ornery, and hot as all hell."
"Do you want me, Marci?"
"I thought it was obvious. I get it, though, you're not into me."
Her words surprise me, but I'm not going to be the one to correct her of her notion.
"How old are you, baby girl?"
"Twenty-four. You're not that old, Jacob."
"It certainly feels like I'm too old to be with you. There's more silver on my head than anything."
"Yeah, you're a sexy silver fox."
I feel my cheeks grow warm with her compliment and see her smile from the corner of my eye.
"Why did you come to Hope Peak? I mean, you can live anywhere you'd like with your work."
"My grandfather settled here a few years back, so my mom and I followed him. He passed last spring."
"So now it's just you and your mom?"
"Mmmhmm."
"What did your mom think of this plan you had?"
"I didn't tell her."
"Does she know you are safe?"
"I told her I was staying at a friend's house. To celebrate Christmas with their family."
"Didn't she want to spend Christmas with you?"
"She's still in mourning and doesn't want to celebrate. She didn't even let me decorate or put up a tree."
I turn around in my seat so that I can get a good look at her. She's pensive but doesn't seem to be sad right now.
"I'm sorry about your grandfather. Was it always just the three of you?"
"No, just me and Mom. Grandpa used to move around a lot because of his…business."
