Page 17 of Plane Passion

6

Millie collapsed on the sleek, Maurice Dufrêne chaise longue when she got home. Its lines echoed those of her roadster. Never had a piece of furniture for lounging looked so fast. She probably shouldn’t have bought it, but it was her present to herself after the breakup with Barney.

Peace at last. Her roommate, Beth, wasn’t due home for another half hour or so. Not that she didn’t adore Beth. They’d been friends for years, but sometimes a woman needed to wallow in solitude.

She closed her eyes, and there was Ernie Pritchard, inches from her nose, his manly scent wreaking havoc with her senses. Heat pulsed through her, and it wasn’t the heat of anger. Oh, no, this was something else entirely—something that had to be buried deep down where it could never rear its head again.

Picking up a throw pillow, she mashed it over her head as if she could hide from the memory. She could not be attracted to that cad. It was a moment of madness, nothing more. It had been a stressful day with that tricky landing. His rare moments of kindness had thrown her off guard. And then she’d stepped too close when they were arguing about Vera.

Watch yourself, Mildred. Don’t you let another playboy turn your head.

Sitting up, she composed herself. The madness had passed, and nothing had come of it. She just had to make certain it never happened again.

There was a sound at the door, and Millie hurriedly sat up and put on a nonchalant expression.

Beth walked in, tall and lithe, fresh from tennis practice. Somehow her short brown hair always managed to look pristine, even after heavy exercise. It wasn’t fair.

“You’re home early,” Millie said.

“Coach twisted his ankle. We called it a day.” Beth tossed her gear bag into her room. “How was your first trip with the airmail?”

“As good as could be expected. They’re all hoping I quit, but I made it through without any major mishaps. The same can’t be said for the man tasked with teaching me the routes. He had to do an emergency landing outside of Philadelphia because of an issue with his drive shaft. Fortunately, I was there to save the day.”

Beth smiled. “Lucky him.” Her blue eyes sparkled as she arched her eyebrows.

“And he didn’t even thank me. Can you imagine?” He acted as though landing in a pumpkin patch was the normal course of business.

“The nerve.”

“Though he did grudgingly compliment me on my flying at the end of the day.” Mm. That was a delicious compliment. So hard won.

“You softened him up with your usual sweetness?”

“Come now. We both know I don’t do sweet.”

Beth observed her carefully for a long moment then pursed her lips. “You like him.”

Dammit. Millie grabbed a pillow and threw it at Beth. “Do not.”

“Oh, you really like him,” Beth said, eyes wide. “Is he handsome?” she asked, throwing the pillow back.

Millie grimaced.

“My, my! You’re blushing. I’ll take that as a yes.” Beth went over to the sideboard with geometric wood inlay and opened a cabinet door to pull out gin, vermouth, and olives. “Martini?”

“Yes, please.”

Beth ducked into the kitchen to get ice from the Frigidaire. The damned thing cost more than a Model T, but it was worth its weight in gold. She’d bought one for her parents too, of course, even though Mom swore her regular icebox did just fine. What was the point of making a small fortune in show business if you couldn’t spoil your family?

“So when are you seeing him again?” Beth asked as she mixed the drinks.

“Monday. We’re supposed to fly to Chicago. I’ll be gone a week.”

“A week away with this mystery man. Should I be planning a wedding?” Beth handed Millie a drink.

“Hardly. He’s a playboy, and his attitudes toward women are appalling. He’s trying to get me to quit, and I don’t think he treats his girlfriend with the proper respect.” She took a drink.

Beth shook her head. “He’s taken? Then why the interest?”