Page 39 of Forever Flirting

“Fwyyy, Daddy!” Caleb interrupted, getting more irate.

“I think he’s getting tired.”

“Yeah, he is. Hey Caleb, how about we fly to the car and then go Mach-One and fly back to Nana’s?” Alex began, and then looked at Everly. “Can I walk you to your car?”

“I thought you were going to ‘fly’…” she teased – only to see a warm smile spread across his lips.

“My goal is always to soar to the heavens,” he said softly. “And someday? I promise to take you there with me the moment you are ready.”

“Aren’t you putting the cart before the horse, mister?” Everly retorted, unable to help the bubble of nervous laughter as he obviously flirted with her with such ease.

“I was talking about flying a plane,” Alex grinned. “What did you think I was referring to?”

Everly rolled her eyes, causing him to burst out laughing with a deep warmth that made her soul sigh in happiness.

“C’mon,” he chuckled. “It’s time for me to retreat and regroup.”

“Strategies of war?”

“Something like that,” he smiled. “But weareon for tomorrow evening?”

“Sure,” she murmured, chancing a nervous smile at him. “I’ll see you tomorrow evening at Flyboys.”

CHAPTER10

MAESTRO

Alex was feelingthis impending departure far worse than any other one before. Over the last two years, he’d been back in town on a few rare instances.

The first time, he’d stayed with his grandmother – who chewed him up one side and down the other, resulting in him going to a hotel… and then Mallory was too busy to drop off Caleb.

He had tried again, only to run into the same problem. Another time his leave was cancelled. This last time he saw Caleb was still a baby and growing so fast. By the time he would be able to return for five days, would Caleb even remember him?

Alex was exhausted and ready for a break.

He felt guilty, because he had no idea how Mallory or any other parent managed to handle a toddler running around like a bundle of energy at all hours. He had missed Caleb’s smile, the smell of baby shampoo, and those shaky little sighs when he’d slept in the same bed as him in Nana’s guest room.

But this time, the feelings were so different.

He felt such yawning emptiness and loneliness just waiting to drown him, knowing that he was leaving his son… and Everly, behind.

Caleb would change and grow – and the differences from last visit to this one were noticeably there. The baby had developed boyish tendencies, and he had a lot more fun with his son than last time.

Shivering, he thought back to that first diaper he’d changed.

Yeah, they were both growing, changing, and adapting over time – and he couldn’t imagine what seeing Caleb would be like in a few months. Would he have another tooth? Know more words? Would he recognize him?

That thought was painful, causing his throat immediately to swell with emotion…

Not only would he miss Caleb?

He would miss Everly – and had only just found her again.

Those dreams haunted him, seeing in his mind that young girl standing at the bar, trying to get the bartender’s attention. How soft and feminine she seemed… and the surprise in her dark eyes when she turned to look at him. There was such a gentleness and sense of wonder in her gaze, making him feel invincible, masculine, and desired all at once – and it had been heady.

… And even Everly had changed.

Gone was the long hair she’d worn twisted back into a knot, and there was a slight maturing to her face… but overall, it was breathtaking to behold. Her lovely smile encompassed her whole expression, making her eyes glow, and while he’d never been really fond of short hair? Her new appearance fit the changes in her.

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