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“I hate for this to end, but it’s time to say goodnight.” He kissed her lightly on the lips, intending to leave it at that, but she clung to him and deepened the kiss. It was too risky. Even though they were around the corner from their houses, anyone could walk by at any moment. But he couldn’t help himself. One last kiss before a long stretch of being on his best behavior.

It made him ache all over and wish he could march up to the Pritchards and ask for her hand now. But he would be patient. Constance was his, and that was all that mattered.

Pulling away at last, she squeezed his hands and gave him a shy smile. “Goodnight, Jack. I’ll see you at work.”

He got out of the car and opened the door for her, staying a few steps behind as they walked home together. He resisted the urge to reach for her one last time as she arrived at the stoop of her house. “I’ll see you soon, Constance.”

“I’ll see you soon, Jack.” She turned and climbed the steps to her house, disappearing inside.

Jack climbed the stairs to his own house in a daze, as the magic of the evening gradually wore off and the reality of what he had to do set in. First, he had to talk to Ernie. Then he had to talk to Mr. Pritchard. Then he had to survive several months of temptation without giving in. He might have held back from the brink this time, but would he again if given the opportunity? It was too big of a risk to take, which meant he had to make sure they had a chaperone wherever they went. It was the only way he’d feel safe with her until it was time to propose.

He also needed to quit his job and start his flight school. Constance deserved better than to spend the rest of her life fearing the worst every time he took off. With a school, he could still fly, but it wouldn’t be nearly as risky.

He could do this with a little help. It wouldn’t be easy, but he had to prove to Constance and himself that he was worthy of her love.

19

Constance was still floating on air the next morning when Millie showed up in her little red roadster to drive her to work. A light drizzle was falling, and Millie had the top up, thankfully. Whenever the weather was remotely cooperative, Millie drove with the top down, and no matter how carefully Constance tucked her hair beneath a scarf, her hairdo never survived the drive.

But this morning, she would have been willing to let Millie speed through a hurricane with the top down if she pleased. Constance was in too good of a mood to let little things like weather or ruined hair bring her down.

“Good morning,” she said in an overly chipper singsong as she slipped into the passenger seat.

“Ha! I bet it is.” Millie gave her an all-too-knowing look, barely holding back laughter as she shifted into gear and started the long drive from Brooklyn to New Jersey.

Constance’s cheeks heated. Of course, Millie knew she’d driven home with Jack the night before, but did she suspect that more had happened?

It was so tempting to confide in Millie. Of all people, she should understand. After all, she and Ernie kept their affair secret for months before a reporter caught them together and published a picture of them kissing in the papers.

Ernie still tried to pretend to his family that nothing but kissing happened until after they were married, but Constance knew the truth. Millie had confessed everything over martinis when she brought Constance along for a girl’s night at a speakeasy with her aviatrix friends.

“You’re being awfully quiet over there,” Millie said, as they headed into the crush of traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge. “Are you going to tell me what happened? I’m dying to know.”

Did she dare? What if she told Ernie? She’d never be able to look her brother in the eyes again, and God knew what he would have done to Jack.

“I solemnly swear on my honor as an aviatrix that I won’t say a word to Ernie. He needs to calm down and let you live your life, and that’s exactly what I’ll say to him if he tries to pry.”

It was like Millie read her mind.

Constance let out a long, dreamy sigh. “It was so wonderful. I can hardly believe it. And I had no idea that…well…” How did she even begin to explain all that happened the night before?

“Take your time. We’ve got a long drive ahead of us, not to mention the ferry ride.” Millie honked at the driver in front of her who had cut her off, and rolled down her window to yell, “Learn how to drive, why don’t ya?” Rolling it back up, she patted Constance on the knee. “Sorry about that. Some people just have no idea how to operate a motor vehicle. I think you were about to spill the beans about your long drive home with Jack?”

“I don’t even know where to start.” This was so hard to talk about, even though she was bursting at the seams with the need to confess.

“Start at the beginning. You got in the car with Jack and started driving. What happened next? Did you stay in the car, or did you stop somewhere?”

Constance stared at the roof of the car, summoning her courage. “I asked him to stop at the room where he and Ernie stay the night when they don’t want to drive all the way back to Brooklyn.”

Millie grinned. “Did you now? That was rather bold of you! Don’t worry. I’m not judging. I’ve stayed there with Ernie on more than one occasion, and I have some rather fond memories of the place.”

“From before you were married?” Constance’s hands flew to her mouth. She couldn’t believe what she’d just blurted out.

Millie glanced at her and gave her a “don’t be an idiot” look before turning back to the road. “You know very well that Ernie and I didn’t wait. In my opinion, feminine virtue is something men invented to try to keep women down. Why should men be free to sow their wild oats while we’re expected to stay prim and proper virgins? It’s like they’re afraid that if we have orgasms, we’ll start coming for their jobs. Oh, wait. I did. Oopsie-daisy.”

Constance couldn’t help but laugh at the smug look on Millie’s face. “I’m not sure I’m as brave as you, but I’m trying to be more daring. I did have an…umm…an orgasm.” Scrunching up her face, she turned to watch Millie’s reaction. It was a word she’d only heard in whispers and had never said out loud before. She didn’t entirely understand what it meant until Jack.

Millie nodded, unflappable as always. “You don’t have to tell me more than you want to. It’s entirely up to you. But I hope you know how to be safe.”