Page 130 of From Air

“Because Jamie knows.”

Maren returns a sad smile, or maybe it’s a sincere one. “What are you going to do, Fitz?”

I pull the ring from my pocket and slide it onto the counter.

Maren’s eyes widen as she gasps and covers her mouth. It only takes one blink for her to cry. One blink for her to stand and throw her arms around me. “I love you, Calvin Fitzgerald. I’m thrilled for you.”

Will smirks. He’s not crying, but I imagine the expression on his face is the same as my father’s would have been if he were still alive.

Pride.

Love.

And maybe a little relief that I am, in fact, not broken.

Will shakes his head at Maren when she releases me and plops back into her chair.

“What? You are a heartless, emotionless man, William Landry.”

He bear-hugs her until she wriggles out of his hold. “I’m emotionally stable. That’s all.”

“Pfft.When are you proposing, Fitz?”

I tuck the ring back into my pocket. “On Thanksgiving, in front of my grandma. I’m not expecting Jamie to abandon her dreams of traveling. And I’m not going to stop jumping out of planes. But at some point, when she’s ready to put down real roots, I want them to be with me.”

“Do you think she’ll say yes?” Will scratches his chin.

“Shut up, Will.” Maren elbows him; he bobbles his chopsticks. “Of course she’ll say yes. But seriously, Fitz, you better have a long spiel of romantic things to say first. And don’t think getting down on one knee is too cliché. It’s timeless. In her heart, every girl wants her man to get down on one knee.”

“It’s symbolic of the rest of your life, buddy. She will break you like a horse. And you will be brought to your knees.”

I chuckle at Will. Jaymes has already brought me to my knees. She’s broken me. But she’s also put me back together. Sheisthe best I’ve ever had—the best there ever will be. And I’m clueless about what this means.

Marriage.

Commitment.

Accountability.

Yet I’m not nervous. No second thoughts. I trust her. Wherever she leads, I will follow.

My two favorite ladies.

I grin.

Grandma putters her way toward me at the airport with Jaymes several steps behind, pulling both roller bags. “Calvin.”

I hug my grandma and kiss her cheek. “Did you have a good flight?”

“It was fine, dear.”

I release her, and Jamie smiles, zipping her white jacket. She’s painfully reserved. My hand slides along her neck until my fingers graze her tattoo.

She flinches.

I narrow my eyes for a second before bending to kiss her. When our lips touch, she stiffens. I’ve sorely underestimated how upset she was on Halloween. I’d hoped she’d be over it by now. Maybe it will make the proposal even more meaningful. It will be the ultimate apology.

“You good?” I narrow my eyes.

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