Page 78 of Stuart Woods' Smolder

“True. The pilot was my boyfriend when we took off and my ex the moment my feet were back on the ground.”

“Then I understand your reluctance, but to ease your mind, my plane is a Gulfstream G-500 jet.”

She crossed her arms and reappraised him. “Have I told you how handy you are to have around?”

—

They arrived at the Santa Fe airport at nine a.m. and found Faith performing her preflight inspection.

“How was Roswell?” Stone asked.

“Paradise, if you believe in aliens.”

Stone introduced her to Monica, and the two women shook hands.

“Will you be wanting the left seat for takeoff?” Faith asked Stone.

“If you don’t mind.”

“Why don’t you two get on board. I’ll have Dean take care of your luggage.”

“Dean?” Stone asked.

“He’s our flight attendant today.”

Faith oversaw the hiring of whatever crew was needed.

Once Stone and Monica were inside the aircraft, Monica said, “What was all that about the left seat?”

“The pilot sits in the left seat, and the copilot sits in the right.”

“You’re going to be piloting the flight?”

“Just the takeoff and landing. Faith will handle the in-between. And before you ask, I have been flying for many years, and have more than the required hours doing so in this very aircraft.”

“All the same, I’m beginning to wonder if I made a mistake accepting your offer.”

Just then, a trim young man in a blue suit entered.

“You must be Dean,” Stone said.

“I am.”

Stone gestured to Monica. “This is my friend, Monica Reyes. She’ll probably want a glass of champagne before we take off.”

“Make that two,” Monica said.

—

Stone rejoined Monica in the cabin shortly after takeoff.

“That was very smooth,” she said. “I should never have doubted you.”

“I’ll forgive you this once, on the grounds of your previous experience.”

“You have my gratitude.”

Dean brought them an array of cheeses and fruits, and two glasses of champagne.

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