I roll my eyes at Piper’s response. “You’re such a brat,” I say, flicking my hair back. Shivering while we stand outside in the bitter cold, I see Jax and Everett, two pilots who are often on our flight crew. They are also headed to the same hotel that we are for our overnight layover. Both pilots strut up to the three of us, wheeling their luggage behind them. Jax still has his hat on, but Everett has it off, carrying it between two fingers on the handleof his suitcase. Jax is easy on the eyes, and I’m reminded of that every time I see him in his pilot’s uniform.
“Ladies.” Everett nods his head, greeting us.
Piper returns the greeting. “Hey, guys.”
Jax makes eye contact with me first, giving me a quick smile. My cheeks redden. Jax and I have had this flirty thing going on since our first flight together last summer. One night a few months ago, we were on a layover in Houston and ended up sleeping together.
He wanted to continue seeing me after that night, but I told him I wasn’t interested in anything more than friendship. It was a difficult decision because I really liked him. Now, we dance around this uncomfortable chemistry that still lingers between us. I would have loved to see where it could go with Jax, but it’s just not the right time in my life for that.
I smile back, and he lowers his eyes.
The five of us are dropped off at the hotel lobby to check in.
“Did you ladies grab dinner yet?” Everett asks Lina, Piper, and me.
Piper vigorously shakes her head. “No, but I’m starving.”
“Same.” Lina frowns, darting her eyes over to me.
“I’d love a Cosmo,” I comment, receiving a side-eye from both of my friends. “Obviously, I can go for some good food too.”
“Let’s go get something together before we head in for the night, then,” Everett suggests, tipping his chin toward Jax for his agreement.
Jax’s eyes quickly find mine before he drugs his shoulders. “Sounds good to me.”
Jax and I only see each other here and there. I’ve purposely tried to avoid situations like this with him because I knew it would be difficult for me and I’m sure for him as well. But looks like we’re doing this tonight, and I’d be lying to myself if it won’t be tempting for me to end up in his room tonight.
“Fabulous,” Lina answers as we all move toward the front desk.
“Meet back here in twenty?” Everett proposes.
After we all check in and drop our suitcases off into our individual rooms, the five of us meet in the hotel lobby a short time later. Jax suggests a restaurant that’s a quick walk at only two blocks down the street. Everett, Piper, and Lina are walking side by side, chatting it up in front of Jax and me. He hangs back, following behind them next to me.
“How’s everything going?” He attempts to make small talk.
I grip the long strap of my small purse that’s hanging across my body. “Everything is going well. How about you?”
He tilts his head up toward me, grins, then lowers his eyes back down to the asphalt in front of us. “It’s good. I just bought a house in Scottsdale.”
I don’t know why I’m surprised. He’s based out of Phoenix just like we are. “That’s great to hear,” I say. There are a few minutes of silence where we listen to the chatter of our other group members a short distance in front of us.
“How’s Luca?” He speaks first.
I smile at the mention of my favorite little man, and it makes me miss him more. “He’s doing well. He’s into soccer right now, and it’s so much fun to watch him play during his games.”
“Your eyes light up every time you talk about him. I love it.”
I blush.
Then Jax calls out to the group. “This is it, guys.”
The restaurant is a small hole in the wall, covered in red brick and a glass door with a small bell at the top. The bell chimes when the five of us enter.
“Five for dinner,” Jax tells the man behind the counter.
It looks like a deli at first glance, but then the bearded man jerks his head toward the back, telling us to head that direction.We barely get past the deli case before the hostess appears from behind dangling beads that hang in the doorway.
“Hi, guys, right this way.” She leads us straight back into the dark restaurant where the only light that shines comes from the candles that are scattered throughout.
