Page 86 of Come Fly with Me

Spending time with Dean is exactly what I needed, and I feel myself relax as we sit down at a small table in the back of a pizza place.

“How’s married life treating you?” I ask, keeping our conversation light and simple.

“Great. I always thought being a pilot would be it for me, but since meeting Kaitlin, I want to be home as much as possible. I just want to be with her all the time.”

I almost laugh out at how different Dean is. This is never where I expected him to be, but it looks good on him. “You’re a changed man, Dean Clynes.”

“I’m so glad we ran into each other,” he says, taking a big bite of his oversized slice of pizza.

“See, I told you there was more to me than just a place to stick your dick.” I wink at him and Dean laughs a little.

“I was such an asshole,” Dean replies, shaking his head as he obviously recalls our conversation from the past.

“Nah, it was just who we used to be. People change.”

“You want to tell me what happened with the guy you were seeing?”

“Not really.”

“But we’re friends now, remember?” he jokes, giving my foot a kick under the table. “After Kaitlin and I split, I started seeing a therapist. It was the best decision I ever made.”

“So now you’re an expert in relationships?” My tone is playful, and while our back-and-forth banter is light, the conversation won’t be.

“I’m an expert in misunderstandings. You have to give people the chance to explain before you bail.”

“Speaking from experience, huh?” I furrow my brows at him and sit up a little straighter in my chair. A part of me wonders exactly how much he already knows about my situation.

“Absolutely. Had Kaitlin not given me a chance to explain, to make things right, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

“He’s married,” I blurt out. “And I didn’t know that.”

Dean lets out a slow breath, a whistle sounding between his teeth and now he knows I broke my own rule.

“That is pretty shitty. He didn’t tell you?”

“Nope, not a mention, nothing.”

“And what was his explanation?”

Ugh, I can see where this is heading: Dean’s comment about misunderstandings. But this isn’t a misunderstanding. It’s black and white. He’s married and I slept with him, and he failed to mention any of this.

“I didn’t let him explain. Why should I? He didn’t have the courtesy to let me make the choice as to if I wanted to sleep with someone who is married. I get it, there are guys in this job that sleep around, giving no fucks about their wife at home, but I won’t be a party to that.”

Leaning back in his chair, Dean tucks his hands behind his head, listening to me rant as he nods his head. “Okay, don’t kill me,” Dean starts, his hands held up defensively. “But weren’t you sleeping around while you were still married?”

“Gossip, Dean, just gossip. I never once cheated on Trent despite popular opinion and his big ass mouth.”

“How about while you were separated?” He throws up his hands again, his teeth clenched together as I glare at him.

“Yeah, but everyone knew what had happened between Trent and me. It was no secret.”

“Just sayin’. Give him a chance.”

“Geez, you’re really pushing this. Did Jake put you up to this?” The skepticism now coming through in my voice. This whole pilot world at Crescent Airways is one big dysfunctional family. And it wouldn’t surprise me if Jake had somehow gotten to Dean.

“Nope, but I’ve heard good things about him. Heard he’s one of the most respectful pilots according to the flight attendants. Friendly, helpful, a great pilot…”

All these things are true, but they don’t change the fact that he’s married and that’s the thought that keeps swirling in my head.

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