Page 101 of From Nowhere

“That’s good. Listen, I’ve been invited to a party. Fitz’s smoke jumper buddy and his wife throw all the best parties. If I don’t get called out of town this weekend, what are the chances of you being my plus-one on Saturday night?”

“I might be able to make something up.”

Sneaking around was fun for a while. But now that my heart is invested, it’s not as fun being Ozzy’s dirty little secret. “Would Tia and Amos really have a major problem with you going to a party with me?”

“Yes. No.” He sighs. “I don’t know. Maybe. Probably. I don’t know, but based on my experience, Tia will balk at anything involving me having fun with a woman who is not Brynn. She’s just so angry.”

I pull into my driveway and flip up the visor, staring at the back of Will’s Bronco.

“Maren?” Ozzy says, breaking the silence.

“I wasn’t going to get invested. That’s my thing. I keep things casual. And you wanted to take things slow, so of course I was good with that. But, dammit!” I run my fingers through my hair. “I like Lola. I like you. And I like what we did over the weekend. I like it all so much that I’ve bought a house. And I don’t need a house. Except I sort of do now, because I have a cat. And the only reason I have a cat is because of Lola. And now that I’m working, I see you less and less. And that’s fine because I love my job, and I’m not the woman who clings to a man. Except I sort of do now, because I met this mechanic who has taken up permanent residence in my head, so much so that I bought a house so we could be alone together without sneaking in and out of windows.”

I laugh at myself because itisridiculous. “Ozzy, I bought a house for a cat and sex.”

Again, we hold the line without speaking for eternal seconds.

“Message me the time and address of the party. I’ll be there if you’re there,” he says.

I open my mouth to protest. That’s what people do; they beg for something and then backtrack when it’s offered to them. Mind games are the demise of many relationships. There’s still so much more I want to say, but I’ll take the win without throwing it back in his face like it no longer matters because I had to ask for it.

“Okay,” I say.

More silence—the awkward kind.

“I have to work. I’ll call you later,” he says.

“Yeah. That’s fine. Bye.”

We talk every day until Saturday, but Ozzy doesn’t share his game plan for attending the party. I’m not sure he has one, but he said he’d be here. As I stare out the window of Gary and Evette’s front room, my tummy feels wonky with anticipation.

“He’s probably having trouble finding a parking spot,” Fitz says from behind me.

I don’t turn toward him. It’s not funny, but for some reason I laugh. “I fly planes, and you jump out of them. Can you imagine going only as far as your bike can take you?”

He hums. “I’m not the one to ask. I’ve recently discovered how love can make you do just about anything.”

I turn and smirk. “The world’s least emotionally available bachelor is getting married and reversing his vasectomy.” I sip my wine, and he chuckles.

Then he nods toward the window. “Looks like he found a spot.”

I turn just as Ozzy secures his bike to a tree.

“Does he think someone is going to take his bike?” Fitz asks.

“If someone did, he’d be screwed.” I hand Fitz my empty wineglass and head toward the front door.

Ozzy glances up just as I descend the porch steps. “Are you sure you want me to meet your friends? I have helmet head.”

I giggle, moseying toward him until I can throw my arms around his neck. “I love your hair.” I lift onto my toes and kiss him while combing my fingers through his thick hair.

As I start to fall back to my feet, he palms my face and kisses me again, but this time with an open mouth. If we were alone, we’d already be half-naked.

“Remind me when you’re closing on your sex house,” he murmurs over my lips, brushing his nose against mine.

I laugh. “Soon.” I take his hand and lead him to the house. “Did you sneak or lie to come here tonight?”

He chuckles. “Let’s call it a sneaky lie.”

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