“Hey, George! Beth mentioned you two are together,” he says with a genuine smile. “Maybe we could go on a double date? I’ve been trying to convince my fiancée to go after her license.” He turns his smile my way. “Maybe you’d have better luck talking her into it than me.”
Because he’s faced away, Aden doesn’t see how his words affect George. But I do.
He jerked attogether, then the guarded mask melted into hope as Aden talked about dates.
It’s true. I told him about George and me. I’d considered keeping the fact to myself, but I’m trying to be more honest.
“Isn’t George Bunsen your instructor?”Aden had asked when I called him after Tim gave me his number.
“He is. But we’ve started dating. So now we’re in this situation where he doesn’t want to charge me, but I’d feel more comfortable paying. I think it might be better if he’s just my boyfriend.”
And as I held the phone pressed against my ear, I braced myself for some snarky comment.
“Of course. Whatever makes you most comfortable. How about I email you my rates and availability for next week?”
After that call, I’d felt almost lighter.
Although still weighed down by our argument and the information I was keeping from George.
“Yeah,” he rasps, eyes on me. “That would be—”
“George! Buddy! We doing this?” The shout comes from the hangar door, and my stomach bottoms out with dread. I recognize that voice. “Hey, is that Aden?”
There’s the slap of footsteps on asphalt as Vernon strolls up to our group. I try my best to tuck away my discomfort, but the move is hard when I’m jittery from a flight and on the tail end of an emotional moment.
Looking anywhere but at the guy who thinks I’m only a pretty view, my eyes catch on George’s. He stares at me, brows furrowed. I try to smile. I really do.
And I maybe even kind of manage it.
“Look at that. Pretty Miss Beth is here, too!”
My skin crawls, and I cross my arms over my chest as I wish I’d worn something other than a tank top. The day was going so well, but I can already tell this interaction is going to stain it.
“You all just getting back?” Vernon asks.
“Yeah,” Aden answers. “Beth just did her first solo flight. Nailed it.”
George leans toward me, and his expression of wonder and pride warms me. “You did?”
I nod, digging my teeth into my lip but unable to stop the triumphant grin claiming my mouth. “I did.”
“Kept it steady the whole time. We’ve got a pro on our hands.” Aden claps a friendly hand on my shoulder. “Not long before you’re out-flying me.”
Vernon snorts. “I doubt that.” He glosses over the sting of the comment by adding, “You’re former Air Force!” I swear I can feel his attention on me. “And how was flying with Aden here?”
I breathe in and out and keep my voice professional. “Aden was great.”
“I’m sure he was. Let’s see”—Vernon makes a production of tapping his chin—“you’ve tried out George and Aden. Skylar is also a certified instructor if you want to give him a go, but I bet you prefer the young, handsome ones.” He chuckles at his own—bad—joke and slaps George on the back like we’re all having a good laugh together.
I bite my cheek and try to think of a response that will make him focus on something other than me.
“Vernon,” George snaps, in a harsh tone I’ve never heard him use with his mentor before. “What the hell was that?”
The older man snorts. “I’m just joking. Beth is a good sport.”
“Beth is a potential club member, a flight student, and a human being who doesn’t need you making inappropriate jokes about her.”
Vernon holds up his hands in mock surrender. “I get it. Don’t tease your lady. As long as she and Aden don’t have the same deal you two do, no harm, no foul.”
