Page 110 of Falling for the Playboy Pilot

I felt sick. Martha had been so kind to me. The thought of her trapped out there was devastating.

“Are you on rescue operations?” I asked.

He nodded. “Yep. We’ll see you up there.”

He walked out of the hangar. I watched him go to the other helo on the pad next to where Pickle’s was parked. It seemed like Pickle had finished his checklist.

He gave me a wave from the cockpit, already strapping in. He looked grim. That was the most disturbing sight I had ever seen. Pickle without a grin was weird. That told me everything I needed to know. This one was bad.

I grabbed two bottles of water from the food service table. And then I felt him. That invisible tether lit up like a Christmas tree.

I turned around in time to see Dalton coming in. He walked to the wall with all the flight suits. He started tugging one on. His eyes locked on me, and that damn magnetic pull twisted my insides like it always did.

“Janna, I need to talk to you before you go.”

I laughed. “Now you want to talk? While the whole town is burning? Impeccable timing as always.”

I snapped my helmet on and yanked the strap tight. “You don’t get to do this. You were real clear yesterday, Dalton. You’re the one who said getting close was a liability. So congratulations—no liability here. I’m focused. I’m ready.”

His jaw clenched. “It’s not that simple.”

“No,” I spat. “It never is with you. But you made your choice. You’ve got your ghosts, and you’ve chosen to live as one of them. I’m not going to let you blame me for whatever happens up there. You said I made things messy. And you know what? You’re probably right. I can’t worry about you either.”

“You’re misconstruing what I said.”

“Oh no, Dalton. You’ve made yourself crystal clear. Repeatedly.”

“Janna—”

“I’m not misconstruing anything,” I said, my voice sharp enough to cut glass. “You told me you regretted everything. You said letting it go as far as it did was a mistake. Those were your exact words.”

“I was angry.”

“So was I! But I didn’t say things I didn’t mean just to hurt you.” I could feel tears threatening and blinked them back furiously. “You want to know what’s not simple? Caring about someone who treats you like you’re disposable.”

He stepped closer, his voice dropping. “You’re not disposable. That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean, Dalton? Because I’m having a hard time figuring out how ‘I regret everything’ translates to anything other than you wishing you’d never touched me.”

His hands flexed at his sides like he wanted to reach for me. “I was trying to protect you.”

“From what? A toothbrush?” I laughed bitterly. “You weren’t protecting me. You were protecting yourself. And you know what? Fine. Mission accomplished. You’re safe from the terrible burden of someone giving a damn about you.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Life isn’t fair, Dalton. You taught me that.” I adjusted my helmet again, needing something to do with my hands. “You want to know what’s really not simple? Flying into a fire zone while worried about someone who’s made it clear they don’t want you interfering with their life.”

“And you know why I said that.”

I stepped close enough to see the guilt flash in his eyes. “You might as well bury yourself right next to your friend. You’re already halfway in the ground.”

He flinched. So did I.

I didn’t mean to go that far. But the words were already out. Just like a dropped match in a puddle of gasoline. It was too late to stop it from happening.

I turned on my heel and stormed out before he could say another word. I walked straight to the chopper and completely ignored the feeling of him watching me. And my own apprehension about riding in a helicopter.

I really hated helicopters.