Page 37 of Come Fly with Me

After each girl has had a turn and we’ve run through the final checklist when you bring a plane back in at the end of the shift, we shake hands with each of them and watch as they all mingle and laugh while waiting for their parents to come and pick them up.

“Well?” Taylor says, standing beside me, her hand shading her eyes from the late afternoon sun. “What do you think?”

I grin, my eyes still on the group of girls. “Amazing,” I say quietly. “I can’t believe you created all of this,” I add, turning to her.

She shrugs as though it’s no big deal, but I can still see the pride in her eyes. “I wanted them to know that nothing was out of their reach,” she says. “And regardless of your background or your gender, you can be anything you want to be.”

I nod, both impressed and turned on. “It’s working,” I tell her, our gazes locked. “They are an incredible bunch of girls. You should be really proud.” One of them squeals and when I look over, I see Sofia jumping up and down at something. I grin. “And that one,” I say, gesturing toward her. “She tell you she wants to fly fighter jets?”

Taylor smiles at me, and I swear it does something to me as electricity shoots down my spine in a way I’m not sure I’ve ever felt before. “Why do you think I sent her up with you?”

My grin widens as I step closer to her and sling an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into my side. I feel her body stiffen a little before relaxing, her head half-leaning on my shoulder as I press a kiss to the top of her head.

“Thank you for inviting me here today,” I whisper. “I had a lot of fun.”

She pulls back a little, looking up at me. “Thank you for coming,” she replies, a tiny smile curving her lips. “It’s good for them to see that not all male pilots are assholes.”

I chuckle. “Ha, so I am growing on you,” I tease, running a fingertip down the bridge of her nose.

“Taylor, Jake!” a voice calls out, and we both turn. “We’re gonna grab some dinner,” Carrie says, smiling as she walks toward us. “Managed to get a sitter. You want to join us?”

Taylor pulls herself from my arm as she turns to face me. I smile at her as I reply, “Sure, sounds great,” without giving her a chance to question it.

We head down to Marisol’s, a Mexican place at the end of the Santa Monica Pier, where the four of us grab a table by the window overlooking the Pacific Ocean. As much as I love Australia and will always consider it my home, I can’t deny this place is pretty spectacular too.

“So, Jake,” Carrie starts, after we’ve all ordered some margaritas. “Your accent is kinda…strange,” she says, smiling apologetically. “Where are you from?”

I laugh. “Grew up in Australia,” I tell her. “But moved to the States when I was eighteen. Joined the military and moved around a bit with that, so I guess it’s kind of a hybrid accent.”

She nods as she gives Taylor a sideways glance. “And now you’re at Crescent with Taylor?”

“I am,” I nod. “She’s actually my boss.”

Carrie’s eyebrows rise as she takes a sip of her drink. “How long have you been there?”

“Not long,” I say, also taking a sip of my drink, relishing the cool liquid. “Was a reserve pilot for a long time, but finally got a permanent gig.”

“Where are you flying to next?”

I chuckle at the fifty questions she seems intent on asking me, even as Charlie shakes his head and murmurs, “Ease up on the questions, babe.”

“It’s okay,” I tell him. “But next up is Hawaii,” I tell her. “Head out the day after tomorrow.”

“Seriously?” Taylor asks, turning to face me, obviously surprised.

I grin at her, cocking an eyebrow as I reply, “Yep, seriously. Why’s that?”

She swallows hard, her fingers fidgeting with the straw in her drink. “I am too,” she says. “I didn’t realize you’d be my first officer.”

I chuckle as I give her a wink. “Can’t get rid of me that easily,” I tell her, even if I don’t bother admitting I actually requested this flight. It surprised me how easy it was, especially given the destination, but apparently, her original co-pilot wanted Vancouver so he could go skiing. Who was I to argue?

“You ever been to Hawaii?” she asks, her eyes wide.

I nod, still smiling. “I have,” I tell her. “A while ago now, but yeah, I love the place. Great for surfing,” I add, grinning.

Carrie laughs. “Or sitting on the beach and watching all the hot boys surf,” she says.

“Oh no,” I tell her, nudging Taylor’s shoulder with mine. “Taylor here is a pretty good surfer. Gave her a lesson when we were in Oz. She’s a natural.”

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