Page 27 of Breaking Emily's Rules
“It could take a while to get your license. Depending on whether you take long breaks between lessons. And in order to qualify for your pilot’s license, you’ll have to take three solo cross-country flights between airports.”
“By myself?”
“That’s the idea. There’s also lots of coursework and passing the FAA written test.”
“I’m good with books and tests.” Her first hint of confidence.
“There’s a lot more work to do if you ever want to carry a passenger. The more hours you log flying, the faster you can get your license. Like anything else, you need lots of practice.”
“I can handle all of that. I’ll do my lessons three times a week so it’ll stay fresh in my mind. Anything else?”
The facts were he needed more students. Not only was he getting tired of hiring himself out for chartered flights to keep the school afloat, but a good roster of students would make the school a better investment for the buyer he’d lined up. She probably wasn’t serious, but at least seeing her would be a nice break in his week. Emily could make things stimulating for however long he had left here. Interesting, and also challenging.
It had been a hell of a long time since he’d been useful to anyone. But God help him. Why had he always had a thing for the wacky ones?
He almost couldn’t believe he was about to say his next words. “One more thing. I’d like to take you up on that date.”
“But—”
“It was your idea. One date.” He held up his finger.
“One? That’s it?”
“One.” He only needed one date to get her out of his system. There were no white picket fences in his foreseeable future.
“Okay.” She took a deep breath. “I can handle that.”
CHAPTER6
Emily
Just my brandof luck that Stone was the pilot of the only flight school in the area. Hunky Stone Mcallister who, thanks to Molly, I had left without even saying thank you, or goodbye. Thanks to Rachel and gravity, I’d asked him out and then spilled coffee all over him. He’d obviously not taken either one of those well. At all.
But the new and improved me living life full tilt couldn’t let this distract my plans. The only thing that might distract me would be those eyes that made me feel naked. I’d need him to sit far away from me and stop looking like he was about to have a three-course meal. But surely that could be arranged. It would have to be.
Even if from the moment I’d seen the small planes on the tarmac and stuttered out the words, “I want my pilot’s license,” I hadn’t had a good solid breath of air. Those small planes were an accident waiting to happen, like a strong gust of wind would blow them off course. I’d eventually have to fly one of them by myself. Sure, that made sense, so why hadn’t I stopped to consider what it might feel like all the way up there, all alone?
I’d taken a week to think about Rachel’s idea. It appealed to my new call to adventure, without a doubt. Maybe I could even podcast on the experience. An experience that wasn’t supposed to involve men. Not younger men. Not hot men.
The door to his office opened, and Jedd popped his head in the door. “Hey, boss, the—“Jedd stopped midsentence and stared at me with a slacked jaw. “Hey, Emily. What are you doing here?”
I stood. “I’m here to take lessons.”
“You’ve come to the right place. This right here is the best teacher you could ever find. He’s former air force. He’s the man.” Jedd pointed in Stone’s direction.
The silence in the room was deafening until the roar of a plane lifting off filled the room.
“I’m taking the plane out. Is she ready?” Stone stepped past me on his way to the door.
“She’s ready and willing,” Jedd said with a wink toward me.
I followed, because Stone wasn’t getting away from me that easily, and almost bumped into him when he turned around, stopping me in my tracks. “Are you coming?”
“Now?” We hadn’t even set the parameters for our supposed date. Was this a coffeehouse date or a dinner date? Was it denim or silk? Should I shave? Wax? Did I need to?No! I’ll decide and I won’t need to wax. Decision made.
“Isn’t that what you’re here for? Lessons?” Now the confounded man looked annoyed. With me. “Ready?”
“Uh, yes. Why would you think I’m not ready? What a stupid question.” I didn’t think we’d start today, but even if the thought made my heart race, I couldn’t rethink the situation now. I was about to walk straight into history and maybe make some of my own. Hopefully it wouldn’t involve a crash.
