“What’d you do to get the sheriff’s attention, sweetheart?” Rome asks as he passes you your drink. Most people assumed being a bartender in a small town would be boring. They’d be wrong. When people want to hide, they come here.

And Rome knows you’re hiding something. It’s what makes you interesting. Potential dark secrets and a pretty face? Of course his eyes are on you.

“Haven’t even been here for a week yet,” he continues casually. He wonders if you’ll tell him. Most people love telling bartenders their life stories. Rome won’t push, of course, he knows better.

Still, if Ximena—the sheriff—has been keeping an eye on you, you must’ve done something. She’s been off lately. He can tell she’s trying to investigate something on her own. He’s not quite sure what that is, however.

That’s where you come in. If you spill what she’s been asking you, he can figure out what she’s trying to uncover.

Rome wipes down another shot glass. Early afternoon’s always slower. It’s convenient because he can talk to you without interruption. Once a crowd starts picking up, you leave, like you’re running from something. A lot of people in this town are.

He’d run, too. Rosewood is an escape from his old life, far away from everything that still haunts him.