Page 45 of From Air

“Pfft.Then you lose for sure. Despite what you think, they’re my friends.”

“Speaking of hot people, did you know that Dr. Reichart lost her virginity to Will?”

Fitz shoots me a glance with a sour face. “No.”

“Yes. And he broke her heart too.”

Fitz focuses on the road. “Fucker never told me that.”

I giggle. “Well, I wish I didn’t know. I don’t know if I’m comfortable hearing personal details about my boss. Don’t tell him I said anything. I need to convey a message. I just haven’t yet. It’s a weird topic to discuss with him.”

“Why arewediscussing it?”

“Because I wanted to distract you from obsessing over my superior hotness.”

He grunts, and I grin victoriously.

When we arrive at the bowling alley, Fitz pays for our games and shoes.

“I could have paid.”

He struts toward the lanes, several steps in front of me. “You’re paying me back in other ways.”

I nearly trip over my own feet. “W-what?”

He stops, causing me to bump into him. “You’re paying for my plane ticket.”

“Plane ticket?”

“To Miami. I invited you to go bowling, so I’m paying. You invited me to be your emotional-support person this weekend, so you’re paying for my plane ticket.”

“I didn’t invite you.”

His gaze shifts to the side for a beat before he grunts a laugh and continues toward the lanes. “You did.”

I can’t take Fitz to Miami. That would be a disaster.

“Hey! You brought Jamie. I’m so glad,” Evette gushes, hugging Fitz and then pulling me in for a tight embrace, her wiry curls brushing my cheek.

“Do you have my back?” I murmur next to her ear.

“What?” She begins to pull away.

I grip her shoulders. “We don’t have much time. Just say you have my back.”

When I release her, she narrows her eyes and nods while straightening her camel-brown crisscross sweater that barely touches the top of her shapely hips.

I grin. “Can you two settle something for us?”

Gary sets his beer on the table and adjusts his black ball cap. “What’s that?”

“Who’s hotter? Fitz or me?” I pull back my shoulders and smile.

Gary sniggers, reaching for his bowling ball. “My wife’s here. I can’t answer that, even if she says Fitz, which she will.”

“No. I think Jamie is hotter,” Evette declares, eyeing me carefully to confirm she’shaving my back.

I wink. “Thanks.” I blow her a kiss.

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