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“Let’s just say we’re not going to be best buddies anytime soon.” He took her hand and kissed it. That much, at least, he could get away with. “I’m sorry you had to spend this whole time working. I meant to treat you like a queen, letting you sit and hold court while I served you one ice cream treat after another.”

She put her hand on his knee. “Don’t feel bad. I like to keep busy, and you and I will have the rest of our lives to enjoy each other’s company.”

The rest of our lives. He tried to hold in a shiver, thinking of Doug’s parting shot. His life was going to be long and full of love, no matter what Doug said. The airmail hadn’t killed him yet, and if he got his financing, he’d be able to walk away from Uncle Sam’s Suicide Club forever. There was nothing to worry about. Not a thing.

“Yes, we certainly will.” Feeling bold, he spooned a dollop of ice cream and held it to her lips. Opening, she sucked the spoon clean and licked her lips, sending his mind all the way to the gutter. “Any chance you want to sneak over tonight?” he murmured in her ear, brushing it with his lips.

“Jack, we’re at church,” she protested, but she melted against him, resting her head on his shoulder.

“That’s not a no.” He had her. He was sure of it.

“Then perhaps you’ll see me at midnight.”

If anyone saw his wicked grin, they would know he was concocting devilish plans for sure. But fortunately, no one was looking. “And perhaps I’ll be waiting up for you.”

“You’re terrible.”

“I am.” But he wasn’t giving her up, no matter what Doug said. He planned to live a long and happy life with Constance by his side, and he swore inwardly that he wasn’t ever going to let her down.

27

Constance stifled a yawn as she sat down across from Millie at the diner a few blocks away from Heller Airfield. It was their Monday ritual, and she always enjoyed having lunch with Millie. But she was exhausted, not that she was ready to confess why.

Millie, dressed for work in high boots, knickerbockers, and a leather jacket took a seat across from her, oblivious, and turned the menu to the pancake section. “Ooh, they’ve got blueberry pancakes. I wait all year for these!”

That made Constance chuckle. “Are you sure? Last month you said the same thing about the strawberry pancakes, and the month before that about the orange chocolate-chip pancakes.”

“And it’s true,” Millie protested with hilarious earnestness. “Different pancakes every month… What’s not to love? Variety is the spice of life, as they say.”

“Don’t tell Ernie that,” Constance said, shaking with laughter.

Millie grinned. “Ernie knows not to come between me and my pancakes. In fact, he puts on an apron and cooks me a batch every Saturday morning. He knows the way to my heart is dripping with syrup.”

Gracious! Could those two be any more adorable? Constance couldn’t help but wonder what charming gestures Jack would make as they settled into marriage together. He was already showering her with so many cookies and flowers that she didn’t know what to do with them all. Not to mention the exquisite care he took to ensure her pleasure in bed. Or in the kitchen, as was the case the night before. They’d both been too eager to bother with climbing the stairs…at least the first time. Oh, the things he’d done with her pinned against the icebox!

“Something tells me I don’t have your full attention,” Millie said, leaning forward with raised eyebrows.

“What? Oh! Umm…sorry. I was just…” Remembering that thing Jack did with his tongue that sent her flying up into the stratosphere. Heavens! When did it get so hot in here?

“You’re bright red.” Millie leaned forward, chin propped on her hands. “Let me guess. This has something to do with Jack?”

Constance looked at the white-painted tin ceiling, grasping for an answer that didn’t give everything away. Though maybe it would be a good thing to confide in a friend. Millie would keep her secret, wouldn’t she? After all, she’d been a reliable confidante so far.

Of course, that was the moment the waitress came over. Fortunately, the woman didn’t look up from her pad as Millie ordered the blueberry pancakes and Constance mumbled an order for a turkey and Swiss sandwich and black coffee.

As soon as the waitress was gone, Millie leaned forward again. “Well?”

Burying her face in her hands, Constance tried to come up with the least embarrassing way to say this out loud.

“It’s okay. Take your time.”

Peeking between her fingers, Constance tried to take courage from Millie’s encouraging grin. “I snuck out of the house last night to see Jack,” she whispered. Not that anyone they knew was in the diner, but even a stranger overhearing was too mortifying to contemplate.

Hiding her face in her hands again, she didn’t dare look up.

Millie’s soft touch on her shoulder forced her to relent and meet her friend’s gaze. “Welcome to the impatient ladies’ club, sister! I’m so impressed that you took a risk like that to go after what you wanted!”

Millie’s words were a balm to Constance’s conscience. While she wasn’t ashamed of what she’d done, she’d been so afraid of the judgment she might face if she confessed it. “I couldn’t stay away. Especially not after the other night when he…we…”