Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“I can take it or leave it, baby.” I shrug.
Baby? I don’t say that shit. I need to jump. I need to ride the adrenaline high. I’m bored. That’s the only explanation for my taking the bait. She’s distracting only because I’m not focused. In another month, I’ll look back and laugh at this ridiculousness.
Jamie smiles, but it looks forced. “Well, there you have it. You’ll have more time for Mrs. Wilke now that you’re not kissing me.” She stands at her mirror and brushes her hair. “I hope I haven’t driven a wedge between you. If you need me to apologize for my behavior, I’d happily help get you out of the doghouse.”
It’s impossible to hide my grin. “I’ll handle her. I’m quite good at it.”
Jamie’s cheeks turn red, but she giggles and throws my favorite line back at me. “Get the fuck out of here.”
Chapter Fourteen
JAYMES
I miss Fitz’s lips. It’s only been a week, but they’re missable lips, and that’s indisputable—a fact.
However, I’ve found a good distraction. Melissa’s parents are celebrating their fortieth wedding anniversary, and I’m flying down to Miami for the party.
After buttering her up with pizza and wine, I share my fabulous idea with Maren. “How do you feel about a girls’ trip to Miami with me?”
“Really?” She washes our glasses in the sink. “Just say when.”
“Fantastic. This weekend.”
“Noooo. Say anything but this weekend. That’s in five days. I have to work. Have you heard of a little thing called prior notice?”
“Dang it. I know.” I deflate. “Melissa didn’t give me much notice. It’s her parents’ fortieth wedding anniversary. They debated on having a party and decided at the last minute to do it. I don’t want to miss it.”
“Sorry. I’d love to go, but . . .” Her smile bleeds with genuine disappointment.
I fold the empty pizza box. “I understand.”
“Besides, you’ll be there with your friends. I doubt you’ll need me there.”
I nod several times, but then I cringe. “Full disclosure?”
“Of course.”
“It’s my first time flying. I’m a little nervous.”
Her eyes widen. “For real? You’ve never been on a plane?”
I shake my head, hugging the empty pizza box.
“Oh, you’ll love it.”
“Says the pilot.”
“Well, I’m bummed. Had you given me more notice, I would have flown us down to Miami.”
“It’s fine. I’ll survive. If I can dive in the ocean and swim with sharks, I can survive a plane.”
“For sure.” She dries her hands and winks.
“Survive what?” Will saunters into the kitchen in his black activewear for his tai chi class.
“Jamie’s flying for the first time this weekend.”
“Seriously?” He narrows his eyes at me before opening the fridge.
“Yes. Seriously. Let’s just state the obvious—I’ve lived a sheltered life. I have a lot of firsts left to experience.”
“You’ll love it,” Will assures me.
“See?” Maren grins, brushing past me. “Fitz will say the same thing too.”
“Fitz jumps out of planes. I don’t think he’s qualified to rate flying when you stay in the aircraft.”
Will and Maren laugh while I fish my phone out of my purse.
I message Melissa to let her know I’ll book my ticket before I go to bed, and then I head upstairs to shower, but Maren beats me to it. As I turn, Fitz exits his bedroom, pulling on a blue-and-orange Marmot hoodie over a white T-shirt.
“Hey,” I say in an unavoidably breathy voice while giving him a tight smile.
“Hey.” His gaze slides down my body.
I clear my throat. “Are you in for the night?”
He shakes his head, taking his sweet time, returning his gaze to mine. “Bowling with Gary and Evette.”
“Bowling?”
“It’s a heavy ball with finger holes, ten pins—”
“Fitz, I’m going to knock out your pretty teeth if you don’t stop mocking me like I was born yesterday.”
He gives me a shit-eating grin. “You think my teeth are pretty?”
“Have fun bowling.”
The bathroom door opens. “It’s all yours.” Maren adjusts her robe’s sash.
“Thanks.” I step toward the door.
“Fitz, did Jamie tell you she’s flying for the first time this weekend? She asked me to go, but I can’t. I told her she’d do just fine.”
I close my eyes. Thanks, Maren.
“Is that so? What were you . . . born yesterday?”
“Be nice,” Maren scolds on her way to her room. “If I lived in Miami, I probably wouldn’t have any desire to leave either.” She shuts her bedroom door.
“Where ya going?” Fitz’s eyebrows slide up his head while he rests his shoulder against the wall, hands in the pocket of his hoodie. Freshly showered Fitz with damp, messy hair is too much for my ovaries. His face has a little more dark scruff than usual today, and his playful gaze makes me squirm.
I cross my arms. Then fold my hands. Then lace them behind my back. God, he makes me crazy with a need to touch him. “Miami. It’s Melissa’s parents’ anniversary. It’s just for two nights. And Maren’s right. I’ll be fine. No big deal. It’s not like I haven’t wanted to fly. I’ve just never needed to before now.”