Page 82 of From Air

I grab my purse and head out to explore my new neighborhood and make a few purchases, perhaps some plants. “Let him go. He’s not really mine.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

CALVIN

Jamie’s been gone less than a month, and Will’s antsy to get a new roommate.

Sitting on her bed, I still smell her—a mix of flowers and sugar. I think about texting her. But why? I have nothing to offer her.

Locking the door to the shed, I vow to let her go, even though she’s already gone. I pitch in, scrub the kitchen sink, and clean both bathrooms since I have a feeling I’ll be headed to McCall tomorrow, and there’s no telling how long I’ll be gone. After dinner, I shower because there’s also no telling how long I might go without one.

When I open the bathroom door, Maren ascends the last few stairs, carrying her boots in one hand and her purse in the other. “Hey! I’m surprised you’re still here.”

“I leave in the morning.” I tighten the towel around my waist.

“Lucky.” Her nose wrinkles. “I’m swapping out clothes and leaving in an hour.”

“Have you seen Will lately?”

She shakes her head. “I always miss him. You?”

“No. But he messaged me, asking me if I knew anyone who might want to rent the shed before he posts it online.”

“I don’t know why he’s so anxious to rent it. I might decide to move back out there.” She grins. “Anyhoo, I have to get going. See you on the other side of the smoke.” She starts to shuffle past me and holds out her hand.

I high-five her. “See you on the other side.”

She halts. Her hand grabs my wrist and lifts my arm a few inches.

I narrow my eyes at her for a second before following her gaze along my bare chest.

The tattoo.

“Don’t jump to any stupid conclusions,” I say.

Her gaze inches up my body. Lips parted. Eyes unblinking. And I swear the blood’s drained from her face.

“I lost a bet with the guys.”

Maren still doesn’t blink.

“So I had to get a tattoo of their choosing. Therefore, knowing I have no interest in ever being in a relationship, they chose this stupid thing to make it look like I have someone. I’m thinking of getting a female dog just to prove them wrong. How do you think Will would feel about a dog?”

If I didn’t know better, I’d say she has tears in her eyes.

“Maren, what is it?”

“I think ...” She swallows hard.

Not since her brother died have I seen her look this lost and disoriented.

“Maren, you’re worrying me.”

“I think Will is going to be angry.”

“If I get a dog?”

Her gaze lowers to my tattoo again. “He’s going to be angry that you broke the rules.”

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