Chapter 4

“Hey, guys! Did you have a good day?” Amantha asked the next day as Joey and I walked from the hangar into the lobby. We'd already done the end of day work, including re-packing the parachutes, and changed to head out. He and I wore our street clothes, simple jeans and T-shirts.

We moved around to the front of her desk, and I grinned when I saw her bright smile. Contagious.

“Yeah, babe. Great flights today,” I said.

She frowned. “Don't call me ‘babe.’ It makes me think of the pig from that kids’ movie.”

I couldn't help myself. “Is ‘sugar tits’ better?”

She pursed her lips and studied me. “Sure. But if you call me ‘sugar tits,’ I'm calling you ’salty balls.’”

Unexpectedly, I barked a laugh. “Deal.”

Joey rolled his eyes. “Don't tempt him. He'll answer to that.”

Amantha smiled sweetly. “Well good. I expect him to answer to it if I answer to ‘sugar tits.’”

She wore a purple shirt, and her pink hair was tied in a messy knot on top of her head. She had a devilish but innocent look on her face.

I licked my lips. She was exactly my type. I...

Abruptly, Joey elbowed me in the ribs.

Ow. I cringed and rubbed the spot where he elbowed me.

“Are you settling in okay?” Joey ignored the situation and asked. “Do you need anything?”

She genuinely smiled at him. “Thank you. I have everything I need.”

I wanted to receive one of those genuine smiles.

“We’re going for dinner at McKay’s down the road,” Joey said. “Do you want to come?”

She smiled sadly. “Sorry, but I can't. I have to be somewhere right after I finish this.” She gestured at her monitor. “Maybe another time, though. I'd love to go.”

Did she have a date after this?

My eyes narrowed. I didn't like the idea of Amantha dating.

“That's too bad,” Joey said. “Definitely next time.”

Wait, why didn't I like it? She could do whatever she wanted.

She beamed again. “Definitely.”

I tried to analyze the situation. What didn't I like? Amantha was single, same as me — at least, I assumed. She could go out with whoever she felt like seeing. I did it all the time.

“The pilot left, and we already locked the rest of the shop. Are you good to turn off the lights and close the door behind you when you leave?”

Amantha nodded. “I'm good. You guys enjoy your dinner.”

Going out was different for a woman on her own, though. Someone could hurt her.

...Did I feel protective of her? Was that what this feeling was?

Joey said, “Thanks. Have a nice night.”

“Good night.” Amantha waved and smiled at us.

“Night,” I said, preoccupied.

Amantha gave me a weird look but turned her attention back to her monitor.

Joey and I walked out the door, going to Joey's car in the parking lot. It was a basic silver sedan.

I glanced back at Amantha through the window.

She focused on her monitor. One of her fingers twirled a strand of pink hair around it as she concentrated. Adorable.

Was this what friendship with a female felt like? Was friendship with women that different from friendship with men? I'd never been friends with a woman before.

A text must have come through on Amantha's phone because she glanced down at the screen and smiled.

Warmth at her happiness filled my chest. But so did jealousy for whoever pulled that reaction from her.

After staring at her for a moment. I opened the passenger door and climbed into Joey's car.

As Joey started the ignition, I decided to set my unusual feelings aside. I wanted to be friends with her. Surely, I could make “just friends” with a woman happen. I’d put all thoughts of sex aside and treat her like a nun... Err, poor comparison. Nuns weren't “off limits” in my mind. A sibling. There we go. I'd treat her like a sibling.

“What's up with you?” Joey asked. “You're acting weird.”

He shifted into reverse and backed out of the parking spot.

“Nothing. I'm tired, that's all,” I said.

“Well, snap out of it. I expect a lively conversation at dinner.”

I appreciated his effort to put me in a better mood. I smiled. “Only if you're buying.”

Joey snorted and shifted to drive. He shook his head and pulled the car out of the parking lot. “I'll pay tonight if it puts you in a better mood. But you get us next time.”

I chuckled. “Fine.”