Page 63 of From Air

“Galoshe’s mine?” I grumble. “But seriously, you’re older. Why did you let us get tattoos?”

Fitz slides his hands into his pants pockets. “Because you thought we should go day drinking, which made me more agreeable than usual. Need I remind you of the alternative plan?”

I zip my purse and look at him. “Day drinking didn’t exactly stopthatfrom happening.”

A slow grin steals his lips. “You remember that, huh?”

I avert my gaze while setting my purse on the counter and filling a glass with water. “I woke up without my shirt and bra.Somethinghappened. And yes, I remember!”

When he doesn’t respond, I take a sip of water and turn toward him. Fitz grins. God! It’s a huge grin. It breaks through my not-so-innocent facade. I have a waning desire to act unaffected by Calvin Fitzgerald. I know where he stands, even if I don’t know why. And I accept it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t change my growing feelings for him.

“I’m not doing anything to my tattoo.” I shrug. “Someday,hewill be mine.”

The hint of a wince wrinkles his face, disappearing just as quickly as it appeared, but not before stealing his smile.

“But you’d better change yours togaloshes. It’s the only thing that will make sense for you.”

His cheeks puff for a few seconds before he slowly breathes. “But let’s be honest, nothing about me makes sense.”

“You need to stop listening to Will and Maren.” I click my heels toward him, grabbing his lapels. “Can I just say you look incredibly sexy in this suit?”

A renewed smile slides up his face just as the door opens.

I step back.

“Late! I’m running so late. My brother has no sense of time.” Melissa whizzes past us to the bedroom. “I’m going to need help zipping my dress!”

“That’s all you.” Fitz shakes his head.

“Coming.”

Chapter Nineteen

CALVIN

Jaymes Andrews is the best mistake I’ve ever made. And if I had it to do over, I wouldn’t change a thing.

In my rookie year, I turned around after we were told to evacuate, and I went back for the two guys who were seemingly trapped. I managed to save one. After countless surgeries, he’s still unrecognizable, but he’s alive. He’s told me I made the wrong decision. And perhaps he’s right. However, his wife and daughter have felt eternally indebted to me.

So, if I had it to do over, I’d make the same mistake, because not all mistakes are bad. Sometimes, a mistake is taking a wrong turn, an unplanned detour.

Tonight, I’m going to enjoy this detour because this is my first party at a yacht club. As soon as we arrive, Melissa excuses herself since she’s one of the hosts.

We pass an impressive lineup of yachts and stroll over a wooden bridge to the clubhouse and its sprawling patio facing the water. Jamie clutches my arm to steady herself on the bridge.

Some guy in a fancy gray suit walks up behind her. “As I live and breathe.”

She turns. “Noah!” Her arms wrap around his neck, and he lifts her off the ground, turning in a slow circle before returning her to her heels.

“Melissa said you took a job in Wyoming?”

“Montana.”

“What the hell is that all about?”

“I needed a change. Oh”—she turns to the side—“Noah, this is my roommate, Calvin. Calvin, this is Noah. We attended nursing school together.”

“Nursing school together?” Noah questions, eyeing her suspiciously. “To put it mildly.” He chuckles.

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