Page 65 of Flyboy
Shit. She really shouldn't be avoiding him or giving him the cold shoulder over his secrecy. He hadn't set out to deceive her. He hadn't really lied at all, just neglected to give pertinent information about himself.
Wasn't she guilty of the same thing?
A loud bang on a window made her yelp, and she choked on the shocked breath she sucked in. Opening her eyes and whipping her head to the side, she planted a hand on her chest to keep her heart in place. She stared through the passenger window. "Fuck, Maz! What the hell?"
Her friend frowned at her. "Were you asleep?" she asked through the glass.
Shaking her head, Alyssa grabbed her bag and keys and climbed out of the car. Striding around the hood, she met Maz on the footpath. "Hey."
"Hi." They hugged before Maz pushed her back and studied her intently. "Hmm..."
"What?"
"Nothing." Maz let go and stepped back. "C'mon. Ry's meeting us in there."
They headed down the sidewalk to the cafe. "Did you pick a date?" she asked.
"Yes. No. Kinda." Maz frowned then laughed. "We've got a couple. Okay, five. But I swear, we're not adding anymore, and you get to help pickthe oneand then we're locking it in."
No pressure. "I see what you're doing."
Maz smiled at her. "Me? I'm not doing anything."
"Sure, sure." Alyssa ducked around Maz and opened the door to Better Buzz, holding it so her friend could go in first.
They were forced to step back when a man, hands holding a loaded takeout tray of coffees, rushed out almost colliding with Maz.
Alyssa did a double take when Maz sucked in a harsh breath and swayed. Confused by what she'd seen, she asked, "Did you just sniff that guy?"
"What?" Maz's gaze snapped to hers as she stepped through the doorway. "No. Of course not."
Her friend's annoyed tone didn't convince Alyssa. She knew what she'd seen. And heard. "Seriously? You leaned in and sniffed as he walked by."
"I did not," Maz huffed, averting her gaze.
Laughing, Alyssa followed Maz inside and let the door close behind her. "You did. You bent close to him and sucked in a deep breath. And the reason I know that is because those five weeks pregnant boobs almost popped out of your top when you inhaled like you were prepping to deep dive in the ocean."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"And that"—she pointed at the guilty look on Maz's face—"is why I'm right. You totally sniffed that guy!"
"Humph." Maz put her chin up and marched toward the counter.
Trailing after her Alyssa chuckled as she glanced around. She stumbled when she spotted Jack sitting with Ry at a table for four in the back corner. What the hell was Jack doing here? With a frown, she turned her gaze away. It was supposed to be just Maz and Ry.
"What are you having?" Maz's question dragged Alyssa's thoughts away from the man who had been driving her crazy for weeks.
Well crazier. He'd always driven her crazy. And really it was more like months on the crazy bus than weeks.
"Alyssa?"
Shaking off her thoughts she focused on Maz. "Sorry. Water. I'm still wired from all the coffee I mainlined overnight." She'd worked a double at the hospital last night and hadn't been home to nap yet.
Ever since she'd become temporary guardian of her sister, her job at Mercy-Life was barely enough to cover the bills. Not when her schedule required a housekeeper-slash-babysitter who could stay over when Alyssa worked nights. Now that she'd bought a bigger house and moved Mrs. Alverez in, the boost to her bank account had become a necessity.
Maz frowned. "I hate that you need to do those extra shifts. I've told you Ry and I are happy to have Penny when you're on shift at Mercy-Life. You don't need to work a second job."
"Thanks, I appreciated it, but again, I'll decline. We're fine.I'mfine."
