Flight (8 page)

“
And he’s so hot.” Mandy added.

Charlie
didn’t want to be reminded of that either. She remembered how his bare legs look, and his arms, and his chest and…!

Before Mandy could say more, Megan woke up and demanded attention.
Charlie was glad to stop thinking about Ryle. The weekend would be her reprieve from him.

Charlie
was ready when Jeff picked her up at six o’clock for their date. She wore a little black dress with sheer black hosiery and black heels. It was a safer choice for the opera and to meet Jeff’s friends afterwards at his friend’s diner.

Jeff looked very handsome in a dark suit, his sandy brown hair just brushing the collar of his white linen shirt. He was holding a bouquet of flowers when she opened the door.

“You look breathtaking.” Jeff said softly, his hazel eyes warm as they ran appreciatively over her.

“
Thank you.” She smiled. “You look very handsome too.”

He grinned.
“These are for you.”

“
Jeff, they’re beautiful. Thank you.” She smiled, taking the bouquet from him. “How did you know I love tulips?”

“
Mandy told me.” Jeff grinned sheepishly.

“
Oh, that sneak, she didn’t tell me you bought flowers for me.”

“
I told her not to say anything; I wanted to surprise you.”

“
Thank you, I’ve never received flowers before.”

“
You’re kidding.” He said disbelievingly.

“
No, I’m not.” She grinned. “Let me put these in water first and I’ll be ready to go.”

The opera was very enjoyable.

Afterwards they went to a family diner where two of Jeff’s good friends were waiting for them. They were really nice and made her feel welcome. Charlie had a good time with Jeff’s friends. It was a relaxing evening.

Yet as she lay in bed
later that night, trying to fall asleep, she couldn’t stop thinking about Ryle and what happened at the floral shop. Was that young blond really his girlfriend? Was she staying with him tonight? She said she was visiting him for the weekend; what could that mean? Her comment about the blond being a child was uncalled for. She didn’t know what drove her to say that. It was none of her business what Ryle chose to do. She shouldn’t care.

But she did.

For the next couple of weeks, Charlie tried to avoid Ryle as much as she could. It was not easy since he was supporting her team, and she was far too conscious of his presence. She didn’t need this complication. Not now. Not when she already had a lot to think about regarding her relationship with Jeff and the impact it might have on her life at PAL if it became public knowledge. After so many years of firm resolve, it was hard to just let it go.

Jeff was all she should be thinking about. But ignoring Ryle wasn’t so easy. And her mind kept replaying every interaction she had had with him. How his fingers brushed against hers when he handed her the tools, how he stood just a little too close so that she could barely breathe. He seemed to be
every where she was.  Every time she turned around, she almost ran into him. How could she get any work done when his knowing eyes were always on her?

“
Here, let me.”

Charlie
stiffened slightly, instantly recognizing Ryle’s deep voice from directly behind her.  She wanted to tell him she didn’t need his help, but the truth was that what she was holding was surprisingly heavy. He took hold of it just when she thought her arms were about to give.  And with a deft efficiency that surprised her, he connected the loose piece to the main frame.

Her pride notwithstanding, she knew what was important was that nothing was damaged.

“Thank you.” She said without turning around. She was afraid to see his face; afraid to look into his eyes. After a long day, she was more vulnerable to his magnetism.

It was Friday afternoon, after a long week, made that much longer because it was difficult to think of ways to avoid talking directly with Ryle when she was working in the same bay. She was changing a part on the AIR230 when her overalls were splashed with some grease. It was late when she and her team finished.

“Let’s call it a day.” Charlie decided. It was six o’clock on a Friday night and everyone was eager to get home. “Have a good weekend everyone.”

“
Thanks Charlie; you too.”

Charlie
stayed a little longer to try a couple of things before giving up on it. She went to the locker rooms to change. Dressed in a white shirt and black jeans, she was just coming out of the women’s lockers when she saw Ryle walking down the hall towards the men’s changing room.

She hadn’t seen him in the hangar for the last couple of hours. She thought he had left already, and so was unprepared to see him walking straight towards her. For a crazy moment, she was almost tempted to run back into the women’s lockers to wait until he had gone into the men’s room first. Clenching her teeth at her own silly cowardliness, she straightened her back and walked as normally as she could to go pass him.

It was a wide hallway, but he chose to walk on her side. She looked straight ahead, with her head held high. To avoid passing too close to him, she turned a little toward the wall, only to miss a step and stumbled.  It was Ryle’s quick reflexes that saved her from falling against the wall and possibly getting a bruised face.

“
Hey, are you all right?” His strong hands were surprisingly gentle on her arms.

“
Yes, I’m fine,” She muttered, trying to escape his devastating presence before her legs gave out on her.

When Ryle saw her desperation in trying to get away from him, the look of concern on his face was quickly replaced by mocking amusement. He let her struggle free of his hold, but didn’t move back to let her pass. Instead, he trapped her against the wall, his arms extended on either side of her shoulders to keep her from escaping.

Charlie could barely breathe; he stood so close that she could feel his breath on her hair. His clean musky male scent filled her nostrils. His azure eyes were so mesmerizing that she couldn’t look away.

“
What are you afraid of?” Ryle asked softly.

“
Nothing,” She gasped, very conscious of his sensuous mouth only inches from her own.

“
Nothing? Then why are you trying so hard to run away from me?” His voice had turned husky.

Reaching out slowly, he trailed a finger lightly down the side of her face. He moved unhurriedly and deliberately, and she watched with wide eyes as it happened. But even in slow motion, she was unable to find the will to stop it, and she still flinched a little when the warm finger first touched her skin. Her eyes closed as she felt it moving down her neck, pausing at the pulse at the base of her neck. Was he going to kiss her?  Just the thought turned her insides to jelly…

The sound of footsteps from the end of the hallway abruptly broke them apart.  One second his finger was still resting on her neck, the next second he had moved away from her and was standing at a respectable distance. Charlie opened her eyes bemusedly, only to see one of the workers just coming around the corner, going towards the men’s lockers.

Taking a deep breath, and without looking at Ryle,
Charlie quickly made her escape.

On Sunday,
Charlie and Mandy drove into Chicago to meet up with Becky for a day of shopping. It was a ritual the three friends tried to do at least every few months, although, lately, Mandy had been too busy to come out with them. Taking a break from their shopping, they stopped for a leisure lunch.

“
I’ve never met a guy like Sean; he’s just so amazing.” Becky said. “I know it’s only been two weeks, but it felt like we’ve known each other a life time.”

Charlie
exchanged a grin with Mandy. Becky was a romantic in that she fell in love often and rather quickly, but they had never seen that dreamy look on her face before. For the first time, she looked so blissfully happy that Charlie wondered if it might be the real deal this time. For Becky's sake, she hoped so.

“
How’s the sex?” Mandy asked.

“
Amazing, of course.” Becky grinned. “Like I said, he’s so considerate. He could go on forever just giving me pleasure. He makes sure I’m satisfied before he lets go.”

“
Huh, I remember those days.” Mandy sighed wistfully. “That was before Rob and I are at the mercy and whim of a little impish girl.”

“
And speaking of lovers, when are you going to sleep with Jeff?” Becky asked Charlie pointedly. “You two have been dating how long now? Almost three months? When's it going to happen?”

“
Well, next Saturday, actually.” Charlie grinned. “I'm going to his place. He's making dinner, and I'll be spending the night.”

“
It's about time. I can't believe how long you've been holding out on the guy when he's so completely crazy about you.” Becky said.

Mandy agreed.
“Mmm. He's smart, good looking, stable and he adores you. He even finds your intelligence sexy. What more can you ask for?”

“
Yeah, he's no Brian, that's for sure.” Becky nodded.

“
So what are you going to wear?” Mandy demanded.

“
I thought I’ll wear the emerald green dress with the mock-turtleneck collar and cinched waist. The one we bought last time.”

“
Which one is that?” Becky asked, trying to remember it.

“
Remember that one you made her try on? The one with the sexy cleavage that she can’t wear a bra.” Mandy grinned.

“
Ohh, nice.”

“
Are you nervous?” Mandy asked her.

Charlie
thought for a moment. “A little; it’s been a long time.”

“
Yeah, it’s been more than four years. I’m surprised you still remember what sex is.” Becky said.

“
I’ve been too busy working to have the energy for sex even if I had the opportunity.” Charlie murmured.

“
Well, hopefully Jeff will change that.” Mandy grinned.

After lunch,
Charlie and her friends did more shopping. Becky got a dress for a date, and Mandy bought several items for Megan.

“
This one is adorable.” Charlie said, holding up a pretty little dress. “Do you think Megan would like this?”

“
Megan would like anything with butterflies.” Mandy grinned.

“
I’ll buy this one for her.” Charlie said, looking through the pile for Megan’s size.

“
Oh, hon, you don’t have to.” Mandy said.

“
I want to.” Charlie murmured. Every time they went shopping in the city, Charlie liked to pick up something for Megan. Just seeing the delight on the toddler’s face was worth it.

Before wrapping up their shopping, t
hey made a final stop at the liquor store.

“
Do you know what Jeff is making for dinner?” Mandy asked.

“
He said roast lamb.”

“
Mmm, ambitious. I guess he must know how to cook.” Becky said.

“
I think so.” Charlie nodded.

“
Oh God, Charlie, he's so perfect for you. He cooks, you don't. That's like a perfect match.”

“
He is pretty great.” Charlie smiled in agreement.

“
We have a very good selection of Barolo wine here, starting around fifty dollars.” The saleswoman said. “This one, Ginestra Vigna Casa will go excellent with roast lamb.”

“
Sounds good, I’ll take this one.” Charlie agreed.

“
It’s a hundred and twenty dollars a bottle.” The saleswoman said.

“
Fine.” Charlie nodded, smiling.

“
Okay, so we have everything?” Mandy asked as they walked out of the liquor store.

“
All set to go.” Charlie agreed.

They hugged and kissed Becky goodbye before walking towards the parking lot.
Charlie drove today. She borrowed her father’s car. She and Mandy loaded their shopping into the trunk and got into the car.

“
This is good timing,” Mandy murmured, “I’ll get home in time to cook dinner.”

“
Good.”

“
Is Jeff coming over to your parents for dinner tonight?”

“
No. He couldn’t make it tonight; he had a report due tomorrow.” Charlie said. “Tonight is going to be a quiet dinner with just the three of us.”

“
That’s nice.”

“
Mmm. Some days, I prefer the quiet little dinners.” Charlie said.

“
Oh yeah, you’ll really appreciate that when you have a kid.” Mandy grinned.