"Something the Big Boss doesn't know. I switched with Amy for the LA. I'll be back tonight so I'm calling you for all the details about Christine and her visit." Alyssa hugged Charlie. "The only time I see you is when you have to fly mainland and we meet here in the airport. I miss you. Maybe we could skip the call and have dinner?"
"I miss you too. Sounds like a plan. Call me when you get back and we'll get take out, curl up at home, and just relax. Be safe." He kissed her cheek. "Stay away from drunken pilots."
"See you." Alyssa also gave Harry a hug, which surprised Charlie considering the way she'd smacked and glared at the poor man before. She dashed off. Fellow flight attendants almost as gorgeous appeared from nowhere to walk and laugh with her.
"There go the true flowers of Hawaii." Harry made a thumping motion with his hand over his heart. "Damn I love this job if for nothing more than to see those gorgeous petals."
Charlie regarded him a second. Harry had been his best friend as long as he could recall. Alyssa, only a year younger than her brother, tagged along with them so often they'd become the three musketeers. But lately, Charlie noticed something different in the way Harry treated Alyssa, something his sister either ignored or couldn't see. "You really should just tell Alyssa how you feel."
Harry disregarded his advice. "I noticed you didn't come back to your place last night. The paper was still outside your door this morning. Found a better bed, a softer one?"
He'd found all he could ever want, except he had no idea how to hold onto her or even how to say goodbye. Charlie ran a hand through his hair and nodded.
When he didn't speak, Harry cleared his throat. "Want me to clear you for the waiting area so you can stay with her until they board? In return, you can introduce me to this Christine and see if she has a single friend for me."
Charlie considered, tempted, God, so tempted. Maybe he only needed time to tell her they weren't just a one night thing. But how could he say those words and not add the rest? From her reaction this morning, would she even listen to anything he had to say? Charlie made the decision but immediately doubted it. "Thanks, but no. I need to get to work, get some things done I'd neglected yesterday."
Harry nodded, his expression more understanding than any words. "I need to get back to the grind too. See you later."
"Later." Charlie left the terminal fingering the silk scarf in his pocket. Would Christine miss it? He brought it out and inhaled the light scent of Christine, smiling at the memory of her bent over him, laughing and filled with desire as she tied him with this scarf. He'd taken the scarf while she showered and felt foolish, but he wanted, needed some physical memory of her, a piece to hold as he slipped a surprise in her suitcase. Ah Christine, I miss you already.
A couple holding hands passed him. Charlie stuffed the scarf back in his pocket and walked home to change and go to work. He did have a lot to do, things to catch up on, stuff he'd left in his rush to meet and be with her. Even as he vowed to push thoughts of her and their time together out of his mind, he knew he'd wait anxiously for her text announcing she'd arrived safe at home. God, what had she done to him?
***
Christine settled in her seat against the window and watched the sway of the distant palm trees and puffy clouds floating across the sky. She hadn't seen much of Hawaii, only the best part.
"Would you care for a pillow?"
"Yes, please." She glanced over at the flight attendant and felt her smile freeze. Charlie's huggy friend, even more beautiful up close, stood smiling down. Wow. What chance did Christine have with Charlie against someone who radiated beauty and a subtle sexiness?
The attendant slid from the aisle to in front of the seat beside Christine to greet other passengers with a megawatt smile and a just-there native accent. "Perhaps a blanket too?"
Christine nodded but couldn't stop staring. She had to be one of the most beautiful women ever created. Her dark blue eyes struck a chord with her native coloring, just as Charlie's did, her long, black hair shiny and smooth.
"Hey, we made it!" They both turned to see a waving gentleman who had sat near Christine on the original flight from Sydney. He grinned at her as he took the seat in the row across and in front of her.
"Yes we did." Christine nodded. "Glad you made it all right."
"Not real sure I would. But heck, how often do you get the chance to view an island paradise?" He winked at the flight attendant and whistled. "Why hello, lovely lady, we were on the flight that almost crashed." He leaned against the back of the seat and pulled his face into a pout. Maddy would say he'd rate a five and would stay a five forever. "I'm not so sure I want to fly again so soon after all that. I chickened out yesterday."
The flight attendant placed a hand on his shoulder. "Flying is safer than driving."
"No friggin way." He covered her hand with his and patted. Christine almost laughed at the obvious flirting. "I'm so scared we could crash again. I might need some extra time and comfort from someone so beautiful."