Page 49 of The Fall Before Flight

She glares. “If I didn’t like you so much, I’d think you’re a bitch.”

“Ditto.”

Kinsey laughs and gives me an impromptu hug. She’s a lot stronger than she looks, and I wheeze for air until she releases me. It’s almost painful to admit, but I actually do like her. She’s unabashedly… Kinsey. I still don’t know why exactly she’s here; I’m the last person who would try to pry it out of her, which is probably why she won’t leave me alone.

“Oh! Gotta go! I want to grab a coffee before my alone time with Dr. Hotness.” With a giggle, she scurries past me in her espadrille wedges that likely cost more than I made in wages last year.

Relieved to have an excuse to get out of the sun, I head toward my cabin. I veer aside at the last second when I see Callum and Preston playing checkers on the small stoop next door.

Standing over them, I put my hands on my hips. “Seriously, you two? You’re stalking the new guy, aren’t you?”

Preston grins sheepishly. Callum frowns at the checkerboard. “You bastard, you’re going to win again.”

Preston laughs. “I write complex computer code for a living. Did you think I wouldn’t kick your ass at checkers?”

Callum grunts. “I figured I’d at least have a chance.”

I kick Callum’s boot and he snorts, then swings an arm out, grabbing my legs. I topple, screeching, but moments later end up neatly deposited beside him.

“Shhh,” he hisses. “Here he comes.”

I turn and see Leo and Ruth, the other nurse, escorting a man out of the Fish Tank. Longish brown hair hangs around his downturned face, concealing his features. He’s almost as tall as Leo and walks with the confident gait of a mature man. One who knows how to swagger without looking like he’s trying.

“Not a model,” whispers Callum.

Judging by the tattoos covering most of the skin of his arms, I have to agree.

“Why does it matter who he is?” I gripe, though I’ll admit, I’m intrigued.

My gaze veers to Leo, his profile teasing me as he speaks softly to the man. The group passes the meditation garden, making their way around the labyrinth, and finally moves onto the path leading directly past us.

“Definitely a musician,” murmurs Preston when they’re about ten feet away.

Like he heard the words, the man looks up. Dark eyes land on Preston, snap to Callum, then zero in on me. They widen, then narrow.

My ribs squeeze my next breath.

“Uh-oh,” I whisper.

“Mia?” he barks.

“What the fuck?” whispers Callum, his arm tightening around me. “You know this guy?”

I’m caught in the dark, angry stare, frozen with my eyes blown wide. Shame prickles down my spine.

“Um, yeah,” I whisper. “His name is Declan Foster. We were… friends in college.”

Leo saves the day, his hold on Declan’s tattooed arm firming as he guides Oasis’ newest addition past us and into the next cabin. Icy blue eyes spear mine, then disappear.

When the door closes with a thump, Callum sighs. “It’s never dull with you around, Goldie.”

“Har har.” I turn my head to meet his stare; something in my expression kills his humor. “Did the universe put a target on the back of my head or something? Time’s up, Mia, here comes Karma!”

Preston’s soft, slightly awed voice interjects, “I remember who he is now. The guitarist of Amy Falls.” His eyes find mine over Callum’s shoulder. “Amy… Amelia…”

I wince. “It’s a coincidence.”

It has to be. Who names their band after someone they dated—in the loosest sense—for three weeks? Ridiculous.

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