Page 33 of My All American Girl

“You’ll have plenty of chances to prove yourself,” I assured her. “But flying is not just about being up in the air. It’s about discipline, about respect, about understanding that every move you make has consequences.”

“I know that,” she said.

“Do you?” I asked. “Because you seem to think bar fights won’t affect your flying. Let me tell you, you can’t fly with a broken hand or a concussion. A punch in the eye can fuck up your vision and ground you for life. Think about what you’re risking the next time your fragile ego gets hurt.”

Her brow furrowed like she had never considered what an injury would mean for her flight training.

For a second, I thought I had gotten through to her, but then she sighed heavily and rolled her eyes. “Whatever. I’m going to talk to my dad and tell him I don’t want or need you hovering over me like a drone.”

“Trust me, I didn’t ask for this assignment. I should be sipping tea and sucking down crumpets in jolly old England right now, not sweating my begonias off in Mississippi. But here we are.”

She scoffed. “Then leave.”

I smiled. “You first.”

“Look, you can be the teacher and I’ll be the best student,” she said. “But don’t follow me to every bar I go to. I’m a grownup. You can pass that along to the general in your weekly report while you’re sucking up to him. Okay? Outside this place, I don’t want to see you. Stay away from me.”

“Are you trying to give me orders?” I asked.

She paused. “When it comes to my personal life, yes. Back off.”

“Stop picking fights you can’t win.”

“Who says I don’t win them?” She stormed out of my office before I got the chance to say anything. She slammed the door behind her, nearly pulling it off the hinges.

I shook my head and ran my hand over my face. How had Mo dealt with her growing up? She was a firecracker. But then again, the general always had a way of handling even the most difficult situations. Maybe I could learn a thing or two from him when it came to dealing with his daughter. I had a feeling I was going to need the patience of a saint.