Page 93 of Falling for the Playboy Pilot

She smiled, clearly pleased with my reaction. “I told you. It’s a favorite among my customers.”

I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing. Was this too much? Too extravagant?

“Alright, I’ll take a box.”

I sat in my truck for a few seconds before I texted Janna.

Me: Hey. Are you working tonight? Would like to see you.

I waited. Watched the bubbles come up and then disappear. Nothing. I waited a few more seconds and still nothing.

I assumed she was busy, so I tossed my phone in the cupholder and started out to the field. I put the chocolates and flowers in the fridge and left the whiskey in my truck. I didn’t trust the assholes around here not to drink my bottle.

Knowing I couldn’t put it off any longer, I walked to Chief’s office. I knocked on the door and waited. “Come in,” he said.

I pushed open the door and walked in. He looked up at me, then my hand. “Sit,” he ordered.

I sat down in the chair across from Chief’s desk, my aching hand resting on my thigh. Chief leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled under his chin as he studied me with that piercing gaze of his. It felt like he was peeling back layers, trying to get to the truth I wasn’t sure I wanted to admit.

Chief was like a father. Or a principal. I never really saw him as a boss. But I did respect him.

“So,” he finally said with a sigh. “You want to tell me what happened yesterday, or am I supposed to guess?”

I sighed. “It wasn’t planned, Chief. Things just escalated.”

He raised an eyebrow, his expression unimpressed. “Escalated? That’s your explanation? You’re a fire pilot, Dalton, not some bar brawler. You’re supposed to be setting an example for the crew, not starting fights over petty nonsense.”

I clenched my jaw. My hand throbbed as if to remind me of my stupidity. “It wasn’t petty. Those guys were⁠—”

“Flirting with Janna,” Chief interrupted, his tone sharp. “Yeah, I heard. And you decided to play the role of jealous boyfriend. Except you’re not her boyfriend, are you?”

I froze for a moment, caught off guard by the directness of his question. I opened my mouth to respond, but Chief held up a hand, stopping me before I could even start.

“Let me make something clear,” he said, leaning forward now, his elbows on the desk. “I don’t care what’s going on between you and Janna. That’s your business. But when it starts affecting the team, when it starts causing problems on the tarmac, then it becomes my business. And right now, it’s my business.”

I slumped back in the chair. “I didn’t mean for it to go that far. I just kind of lost it.”

Chief sighed again. The look on his face was more like a disappointed football coach than boss. “You’re a damn good pilot, Dalton. One of the best I’ve ever worked with. But you’ve got a temper, and it’s going to get you into trouble if you don’t learn to control it. You can’t let personal feelings cloud your judgment.”

I nodded, knowing he was right. “I’ll do better, Chief. I promise.”

“I know you will. But this isn’t just about you. It’s about the team. You’re part of something bigger than yourself, and you need to remember that.”

“I know,” I said quietly. “I’ll make it right.”

Chief leaned back in his chair again, nodding. “Good. Now, get out of here and get that hand looked at. You’re no use to me if you can’t fly.”

“Thanks, Chief. The hand is fine. I promise. I’m good. It’s a little stiff, but fine.”

I left his office and made my way out to the hangar to check on the maintenance of my plane and the other S-2s. I checked my phone to see if Janna texted me back.

Nothing.

I couldn’t help but scan the area in search of her. The chairs she and Laser had been sitting in yesterday were up against one of the buildings. No one was tanning today. I almost felt guilty about that. Almost.

I strolled into the hanger and spotted Gilbert working on one of the other planes.

He laughed when he saw me. “Rocky!”