Page 27 of From Nowhere

“What’s that look?” Jamie’s head slants to the side.

“What look?”

“You have a dreamy look on your face. Are you imagining your own place?”

“I met someone.”

She parts her lips, eyebrows sliding up her forehead. “Someone is not anyone. Do tell.”

“He’s a new mechanic at Cielo. We had the most embarrassing first encounter. Remind me to tell you all about it when I get back home. His name is Ozzy. He lost his wife in a car accident two years ago, and he has a ten-year-old daughter named Lola.”

“A single dad? Wow.”

I frown. “I know. I’m conflicted about it. Single parents are a package deal. And I really like him, but I don’t want to lead him on if I’m uncomfortable with the idea of someone else’s child being part of my life, ya know? It feels like a lot of responsibility.”

Jamie nods slowly.

“And there’s one other thing about him.”

“What’s that?” She narrows her eyes.

“He rides a bike.”

“And?” Jamie chuckles.

“No, you don’t understand. He rides a bicycle because his daughter won’t ride in a car, and she doesn’t wanthimriding in one or driving one either. So he walks or rides his bike everywhere—rain, snow, or shine.”

“Oof. That’s complicated. I’ve dealt with patients like her. It’s a heartbreaking and debilitating fear. Is she getting help?”

“Yes. I don’t know a lot. I haven’t wanted to pry. We’ve only had one date. But I really like him.”

Jamie hops off the bed and steps toward me. “I can see it from your face. You’re glowing. He looks good on you.”

I smirk. “He hasn’t been on me yet.”

“Well, that’s a shame,” she says knowingly.

“It really is. He wants to take it slow.Andhe picked those six yellow glacier lilies that are in the mason jar downstairs. Six because it’s the smallest perfect number, and he wrote a note about the flowers, but it got wet.”

“Maren.” Jamie grabs my shoulders. “Marry him.”

We giggle together.

“Seriously,” she says, “if you like him, don’t back down. He’s worth the wait, so give him time.”

“I listened to you and Fitz for three hours. I know you think Fitz was worth the wait.” I follow her out of the bedroom and down the stairs.

“How did I sound?” she asks. “Was it sexy like a lion roaring, or was it a moan like I was giving birth?”

“You sounded like a sinner who found Jesus.” I laugh, dropping my handbag at the door before making my way through the living room to the kitchen, where Fitz is cutting an onion. “Your special chili?”

“Yep,” he says while Jamie wraps her arms around his waist and presses her cheek to his back.

I think I want what they have; at least, I feel this when I’m around them, but when I’m flying, I don’t want to ever feel like my wings have been clipped. How is it possible to want to soarandfeel grounded?

“Maren’s thinking of getting her own place, too, so she can entertain her new boyfriend and his daughter.”

Fitz glances over at me while I fill my bottle with water from the fridge.

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