Page 86 of From Air

“I will,” I promise.

There’s something about him. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s an unsettling feeling that resides beneath my skin and lingers for hours after being with him.

Four glorious days off.

I pick up groceries on my way home and then change into white jeans and a sleeveless yellow boho blouse for my dinner date tonight. Evette’s in town visiting a friend, and she asked if we could have dinner. She’s been the sweetest, keeping me updated on not only Gary’s whereabouts but Fitz’s too. That’s how I know he hasn’t been home to get the scar salve my friend sent to his house over three weeks ago.

I text Evette when I arrive at the crowded restaurant.

Me: I’m here

Evette: I’m at the back behind the bar

Shouldering through the crowd, I crane my neck to see past the bar.

No Evette.

I look in every direction. She has a head of unmistakable red hair. How am I missing her? Turning for the third time, I catch sight of a man standing next to his chair. Dark jeans and a pristine white shirt. He looks a lot like ...

“Oh my god.” I cover my mouth.

Fitz grins.

I want to cry, but I’m not going to do that. Instead, my heart might explode, and I will likely die right here in this spot.

Someone bumps into me, bringing me out of my dazed state and propelling me forward a few feet. It’s only been six weeks. But it’s felt like six years.

“What are you doing here? Where is Evette?” I hug him and notice the petite, gray-haired woman sitting at his table smiling at us.

“Evette helped me surprise you. She’s in Missoula. Hope you’re not disappointed.” He releases me.

Of course, I want to know who this woman is, but I can’t stop gawking at him. And I kind of feel like he can’t stop eyeing me.

“Jaymes, this is my grandma, Edith. She lives just a few blocks from here. Grandma, this is my friend Jaymes.”

Grandma? Fitz has living family? What is happening?

“Nice to meet you.” I hold out my shaky hand, trying to control my nerves.

She reaches out her left hand for an awkward shake. “Sorry, I suffered a stroke years ago. And my right hand still doesn’t work properly.”

I use both hands to hold her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “What a lovely surprise.” I sit next to Fitz. “Did he tell you I had no idea he was coming? And did he tell you I didn’t know he has a grandma who lives here?” I playfully narrow my eyes at Fitz.

“He said he wanted to surprise his roommate who recently moved here.” She eyes him with an expression similar to mine. “But he didn’t mention you were a beautiful young lady.”

Edith manages to make me blush, just like her grandson.

“Calvin is full of surprises.” I reach beneath the table and rest my hand on his leg for a brief second.

“I hope you don’t mind; I already ordered for all of us,” he says. “My grandma goes to bed early.”

My nose wrinkles. “Sorry. I work long shifts. Had I known—”

“Please don’t apologize, dear. How were you to know?” Edith comforts me with a smile.

“Well, thanks for ordering. Now tell me how it is that you’re here when it’s still fire season.”

He rests his napkin on his leg. “After twenty-one days straight, they forced me to take two days off. I asked for four so I could visit my grandma and this nurse I met in January.”

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