I sit there for a moment, staring at the stack of paperwork that suddenly seems impossible to focus on. Then I reach for my phone, unlock it, and open my messages.
Me: Nesta.
I type, my fingers flying across the keyboard.
Me: We need to talk.
She responds almost immediately.
Nesta: What did he do now?
I groan, leaning back in my chair. Nesta knows all about the rookie pilot with the cocky grin and dimples who’s been driving me to distraction.
Me: He walked into my office. Freshly showered. Spun my chair around like he owned the place. Got so close I thought he was gonna kiss me…
I pause, staring at the words before adding:
Me: And then he whispered in my ear about how much he enjoyed flying with me today.
Her reply comes in seconds.
Nesta: Holy shit, are you blushing right now?
I roll my eyes.
Me: No.
Nesta: Liar.
Me: What do I do?
A typing bubble pops up, then disappears, then pops up again. Finally, her response comes through.
Nesta: Option 1: Set some firm boundaries before you do something you can’t take back. Option 2: Ride that flyboy like a stolen jet.
I let out a laugh, despite myself, and shake my head.
Me: Nesta!
Nesta: What? I’m just saying, Phoenix, the man’s clearly got it bad for you, and I know you’re not exactly immune to him either.
I bite my lip, hating how well she knows me. I can still feel the ghost of his breath against my ear, the way my skin lit up at his words.
Me: He’s my rookie, Nesta. It’s against every rule in the book.
Nesta: And yet, here you are, texting me about him instead of working on that stack of paperwork you’re probably ignoring.
I sigh, dropping my phone onto the desk and burying my face in my hands. Nesta isn’t wrong. Ash Carr is trouble, and I am treading a dangerous line.
My phone buzzes again.
Nesta: So? Which option is it gonna be?
I stare at the screen for a long moment before typing back.
Me: I’ll let you know.
But even as I try to refocus on the paperwork, I can’t help but replay every detail of the encounter in my head, wondering what the hell I’ve just gotten myself into.
