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“I don’t date anyone I work with. And even if I do, I wouldn’t be going out with you.” She told him firmly.

  “Why not?” He asked casually.

  “Because you’re not my type.” She said the first excuse that came to mind.

  “You have a type?” He teased.

  “You’re a guy who seems to get dates easily; I’m sure you would have no problem getting one for Saturday.” She said lightly. “Maybe even Karen. She’s worked for me for a long time and I can tell you she’s really great.”

  “It’s you I want.” He said it quietly. He was no longer teasing and the hunger in his eyes had her silently catching her breath.

  Charlie tried to keep it light. After all, she had rebuffed enough guys to know how to do this more subtly.

  “We don’t always get what we want.” She said softly and walked away. She was aware of him looking after her, but thankfully he didn’t try to follow her.

  The rest of the week went by relatively fast. Charlie spent most of her days in Bay 6. It was an area she had always felt comfortable and relaxed in. And yet, this entire week, she was on edge. Ryle’s presence unnerved her. She was all too aware of his whereabouts every time she entered the bay. Why she should care where he was, she wasn’t sure.

  Trying to dismiss him from her mind was not so easy. She couldn’t seem to concentrate when she knew he was nearby. And her imagination was running so crazily that she seemed to feel his eyes on her back as she worked. Towards the end of the week, she was a bundle of nerves.

  On Friday, while walking away after talking with Mike, she walked right into Ryle. With the upcoming flight test on her mind, she was deep in thought and walked right into the very person she least expected to see in the Instrumentation area.

  “Excuse me, I wasn’t looking where I…” Charlie stopped in mid-sentence as she looked up and found herself being caught by Ryle looking down at her with eyes that twinkled with mocking amusement.

  Suddenly she was all too aware of the pair of strong hands which had come up to encircle her upper arms to steady her. His tall powerful frame was only a feet away, close enough for her to almost feel the warmth of his body. And his clean male scent mixed with a subtle hint of fresh soap was arousing. Her heart sped up and she felt difficulty in breathing properly.

  “There’s no need for excuses,” Ryle drawled, his piercing eyes running slowly over her suddenly heated face before dipping down to her breasts, which were heaving slightly in her effort to breathe. “No need at all,” he murmured more throatily as they lingered on the pointed fullness of her breasts.

  In any other circumstances and with anyone else, Charlie would have slapped him for his insolence. Yet coming from Ryle, all she could do was to ensure her knees didn’t buckle beneath her. To be so close to him, and so unexpectedly, she didn’t have time to be on her guard.

  It was an effort to gather her composure again. Snatching away from him as if she was burnt, Charlie straightened and pulled away even as she blasted him with an icy look.

  Needing breathing space after the encounter, Charlie headed for the stairway instead, temporarily forgetting her purpose. She got herself a cup of coffee and went back to her office. What needed to be discussed with Instrumentation could just as easily be done over the phone. She felt the need to hide in her office for now.

  From her office windows, she had a clear view of the factory floor below. In recent days, she found herself staring out of the windows, looking at the people work. Or rather, watching Ryle work. He was an enigma. He seemed far too arrogant and self-assured to be satisfied with the menial tasks such as cleaning up and sweeping floors. There was an authoritative demeanor about him that even more seasoned management couldn't feign. How did he end up in the cleanup crew? She watched him now as he precisely and methodically swept the floor.

  “Hey, have you forgotten about our date?” Jeff gave a brief knock on her door, which she had left wide open after Karen left for the day.

  Charlie nearly jumped, as she realized she had been staring out the windows again.

  “Mmm, sorry, I was…” She gave a little shrug and nodded to her computer, “I needed to finish a performance report before I leave. It might take me ten minutes. Why don’t I meet you at the restaurant?” She suggested.

  “Hey, I don’t mind waiting.” He said easily.

  “It’s probably better if we don’t leave together.” She told him.

  He sighed, and she could see the hurt in his eyes. It was only for a brief moment and then he hid it. “All right, I’ll meet you at Captain Casey’s in twenty minutes or so?”

  “Okay.” She agreed.

  Saturday was a sunny day. Charlie had another date with Jeff later that evening, but she wanted to spend the morning at the floral shop with Mandy and Megan.

  Like last week, she stopped by Joe’s Café for some food before going into the floral shop. She half expected to run into Ryle there, but he was not there. With a sigh, she walked across to the floral shop.

  It was a busy morning at the floral shop today. While Mandy helped her customers, Charlie looked after Megan.

  “So what are you wearing tonight?” Mandy asked when there was finally a lull later in the morning.

  “I’m not sure.” Charlie said thoughtfully. “We’re going to the opera, and then we’re meeting his friends for dinner.”

  “Hmm. Definitely elegant for the opera,” Mandy said.

  “I was thinking of the red dress, the one we bought together.”

  “The one with the sweetheart neckline? And the sexy slit up the thigh?” Mandy grinned.

  “Yes.” Charlie smiled, remembering it was Mandy who talked her into buying it even though at that time she had nowhere to wear it to.

  “That would be perfect for the opera with Jeff.” Mandy agreed, “Elegant and sexy.”

  “Hmm. Except we’re meeting his friends at a diner afterwards. I didn't want to be too overdressing for it.”

  “A diner?” Mandy said as if she didn’t hear her right.

  “Yes, a diner. His friend Jimmy and his wife, Mary, run the diner.”

  “Oh.”

  “His other best friend, Ed and his wife, Judy, will also be there.”

  “Wow, sounds serious.” Mandy murmured.

  Charlie frowned. “Do you think?”

  “Oh, yeah, Jeff is the kind who wouldn’t introduce his friends unless he’s serious about the girl.” Mandy said with certainty.

  “Maybe I shouldn’t go…”

  “Charlie!” Mandy gasped. “How could you still have doubts? This guy adores you. He’s not like Brian at all.”

  “Still, it’s moving too fast.”

  “You’ve been friends for a long time.” Mandy pointed out.

  “True, but…”

  “No buts.” Mandy said softly but firmly. “All you did was work the last four years. You never even took a break. You don’t date very much, and you haven’t had sex for just as long. I’ll bet you don’t even remember what sex is. Work is not everything you know.”

  “I love my work.”

  “Charlie, you should stop working so hard and relax more. I mean, you’ve already sweated to get to where you are now. You’re only twenty-eight, and you’ve achieved more than most people have at your age, aren’t you happy with it?” Mandy asked, more serious now.

  “I’m very happy with it; Mandy, I’m not looking to get more ahead on the corporate ladder.” Charlie said softly, “I love what I do, that’s why I spend so much time working. Jeff already understands that my work comes first to me.”

  Her friend sighed, frowning a little. “Maybe I’m too old-fashioned, but I can’t see anything being more important to me than Rob and Megan. I mean, I love running the floral shop, but if I have a choice of spending time…well…”

  Charlie, Mandy and Becky grew up together. Having been best friends all their lives, there was nothing about each other they didn’t know. And although they have a lot in common, their views on careers was
not one of them. Becky left Linwood as soon as she was old enough, and made her own way to Chicago, where she secured a job as a fashion buyer for a major department store. Mandy married Robert, her high school sweetheart, right after graduation. She stayed in Linwood to become a housewife while Charlie left home to go to college. They don’t regret their career choices and they always supported each other on it.

  It was almost noon when the door chimes sounded again and a vivacious female voice was heard even before anyone walked into the shop.

  “---would really brighten up the place, unless of course if you don’t water them. And knowing you, you would probably forget to water the plants and kill them all in a couple of weeks.”

  “So why do we even bother?” a deep male voice drawled back teasingly.

  “I don’t know why I bother with you,” was the snappy reply just as a leggy blond came through the doorway.

  She was dressed simply but fashionably in a pair of black pants that hugged her long legs; a fitted, hip length jacket in a muted silver color that showed off her perfect lithe figure. Short silky honey-blond hair framed a beautiful face that couldn’t be more than eighteen years old. Her eyes were large and brightly blue. She wore minimal makeup, looking very young and fresh; a natural beauty.

  But it was the man that was literally being dragged inside the floral shop that held both Charlie and Mandy’s attention. Dressed casually in a T-shirt and worn denim, with a brown leather bomber jack over top. His black hair was slightly overlong, those azure eyes sparkling on a tanned face.

  Ryle Sullivan. Charlie stiffened as she instantly recognized him.

  “So don’t bother me and go back to Chicago” Ryle said in answer to the blond as he allowed himself to be pulled into the shop.

  “Hey,” the blond smiled charmingly at Charlie and Mandy, completely unaffected by what the man had said. “Isn’t that just like a man? I gave up a perfectly good weekend to come down here to help him settle in, and this is the thanks I get.” She said confidingly, tongue-in-cheek.

  It was hard to resist her easy charm; Charlie and Mandy found themselves smiling in amusement. Mandy didn't seem to be able to keep her eyes off the man, while Charlie steadily tried to avoid Ryle’s piercing eyes.

  “Is there anything I can help you both with?” Mandy asked warmly, her eyes lingering on the man.

  “Something wonderful to cheer up a dull apartment,” the blond answered brightly, “Maybe a pot of this and one of that,” she started walked around the shop, stopping to admire some plants as she walked by them.

  Mandy had no choice but to follow the younger girl.

  “Does this one need a lot of care?”

  “No, the bird’s nest fern is very easy to take care of compared to most of the other fern types. It doesn’t require too much attention,” Mandy answered. “If you leave it in the bathroom a few times a week, it will get plenty of moisture.”

  “Good, then this would be perfect for Ryle,” the blond murmured.

  Charlie was left momentarily alone with Ryle, holding a sleeping Megan. He didn’t seem at all interested in helping to pick plants for his apartment.

  “You’re a busy woman.” Ryle said quietly to Charlie so his voice won’t startle the toddler awake. “Engineer by day and florist by weekends?”

  “Mandy runs this shop great on her own. I’m just here to keep her and the baby company.” she responded coolly.

  Ryle glanced down at the sleeping toddler in her arms, “So, you like children, hmm?” he drawled softly.

  “Apparently so do you.” Charlie returned icily, glancing pointedly in the direction where the bubbly blond was chatting animatedly with Mandy.

  Instead of getting angry at her remark, Ryle grinned, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Jealous?”

  Charlie stiffened, her eyes narrowing dangerously. But before she could give him a scathing retort, they were interrupted by his companion.

  “Well, I think nine pots of plants should be enough for now,” She came up and lightly linked her arm through Ryle’s, tilting her head back to look at him, completely unaware of the sudden tension between him and Charlie. “What do you think, Ryle?”

  “Whatever you say, sweetheart; you’re the boss.” He said teasingly, with an easy affection that spoke of familiarity and she giggled.

  Charlie turned away abruptly, disgusted by what she was witnessing. He was always friendly and easy-going with everyone at PAL. But then, she wasn’t interested in becoming friends with him. So why did it bothered her that he had a girlfriend in Chicago? Why did the knowledge leave such an empty feeling in her?

  She put Megan down in the cot beside her chair. Almost mechanically, Charlie started wrapping up the pots of plants Mandy had put on the counter, desperately trying to ignore the teasing banter between Ryle and his companion.

  “So, what were you talking with that guy about?” Mandy whispered, coming up beside her to help wrap the plants.

  Before Charlie could answer, the blond walked up to the counter to pay for the plants. “Thank you so much for your help,” she smiled brightly at Mandy and Charlie.

  “See you later,” Ryle drawled at Charlie before he and his companion left carrying the plants.

  “What does he mean by that?” Mandy turned to Charlie with wide surprised eyes.

  “Nothing.” Charlie said dismissingly.

  “Charlie, you fast worker you! In less than ten minutes, you’d managed to make a date with that hot guy? How did you do it?”

  “Don’t be silly, Mandy, of course I don’t have a date with him. He’s with that beautiful blond, or did you forget? And I’m dating Jeff, remember?”

  Mandy looked at her a little disbelievingly. “Then what was that about seeing you later?”

  Charlie could see no way out of this other than to tell her friend the truth.

  Charlie sighed, knowing Mandy wouldn’t let her get away so easily without telling her. “Ryle works at PAL, that’s all.”

  “Oh.” Her friend said. “I don’t remember you ever mention him before.”

  “He’s fairly new.”

  “Oh, yeah, I guess that’s why his girlfriend is here to help him buy plants.”

  “Yeah.” Charlie muttered, gritting her teeth. How could he try to hook up with her when he had a girlfriend? Didn’t he check her out very thoroughly yesterday? Or was that just a case of when the cat was away?

  “So what does he do? One of those high power positions like you?” Mandy asked interestedly.

  “Actually, he does all the menial tasks in Bay 6.” Charlie said with some satisfaction.

  Mandy looked surprised. “Really? He looked like someone who’s used to being in control; the one who tells everyone what to do.”

  “Well he’s not.” Charlie said a little too sharply. She grimaced and quickly looked towards the cot to make sure she didn’t wake Megan, but the little girl was still sleeping peacefully. She continued in a softer tone. “He doesn’t seem to know anything about avionics.”

  Mandy grinned, “I’m sure not everyone at PAL has a Masters in Engineering like you.”

  “There are many very knowledgeable and highly educated engineers in PAL. Ryle Sullivan is not one of them.”

  “Still, he looked quite intelligent to me.”

  Charlie couldn’t admit that Ryle, despite his lack of experience, knowledge and education in aeronautical engineering, seemed to be a quick learner. Any procedures, processes and tasks only needed to be explained to him once and he quickly grasped it. He might not understand the technical side of it, but he seemed to grasp the concepts and logic behind it easily. Having worked closely with him, she had noticed that he needed no supervision when a task is set to him. He had initiative; and whatever he did, he did a good job. She had to admire him for that, however grudgingly she felt about it. It made her wonder why he would waste his time being in a cleanup crew at a factory when he seemed intelligent.

  “And he’s so hot.” Mandy added.

  Ch
arlie didn’t want to be reminded of that either. She remembered how his bare legs look, and his arms, and his chest and…!

  Before Mandy could say more, Megan woke up and demanded attention. Charlie was glad to stop thinking about Ryle. The weekend would be her reprieve from him.

  Charlie was ready when Jeff picked her up at six o’clock for their date. She wore a little black dress with sheer black hosiery and black heels. It was a safer choice for the opera and to meet Jeff’s friends afterwards at his friend’s diner.

  Jeff looked very handsome in a dark suit, his sandy brown hair just brushing the collar of his white linen shirt. He was holding a bouquet of flowers when she opened the door.

  “You look breathtaking.” Jeff said softly, his hazel eyes warm as they ran appreciatively over her.

  “Thank you.” She smiled. “You look very handsome too.”

  He grinned. “These are for you.”

  “Jeff, they’re beautiful. Thank you.” She smiled, taking the bouquet from him. “How did you know I love tulips?”

  “Mandy told me.” Jeff grinned sheepishly.

  “Oh, that sneak, she didn’t tell me you bought flowers for me.”

  “I told her not to say anything; I wanted to surprise you.”

  “Thank you, I’ve never received flowers before.”

  “You’re kidding.” He said disbelievingly.

  “No, I’m not.” She grinned. “Let me put these in water first and I’ll be ready to go.”

  The opera was very enjoyable.

  Afterwards they went to a family diner where two of Jeff’s good friends were waiting for them. They were really nice and made her feel welcome. Charlie had a good time with Jeff’s friends. It was a relaxing evening.

  Yet as she lay in bed later that night, trying to fall asleep, she couldn’t stop thinking about Ryle and what happened at the floral shop. Was that young blond really his girlfriend? Was she staying with him tonight? She said she was visiting him for the weekend; what could that mean? Her comment about the blond being a child was uncalled for. She didn’t know what drove her to say that. It was none of her business what Ryle chose to do. She shouldn’t care.