Page 62 of Plane Passion

“Yes, it’s me.”

There was a long silence.

“What did you want to say?”

It was now or never.

“I have feelings for you, Millie. I need to see you again.”

I have feelings for you? That was the best he could do? And no preamble either. He just dove in.

“Ernie, I…” She tapered off.

“There’s something between us. I know it. You feel it too. I’m certain.”

Maddening silence. How could she deny this? He thought of the night after her first flight over Hell’s Stretch when they each thought the other was lost. She devoured him with such desperation he could hardly keep up. She felt the tug between them every bit as much as he did. It was clear in her eyes, in her actions, in everything but her words.

“I do,” she admitted at last, and Ernie’s heart soared. There was hope!

“But nothing about our circumstances has changed,” she continued. “This is as bad an idea as it ever was.”

“We can keep it secret. No one has found us out yet. If we’re careful, I don’t see why we can’t keep it that way.”

He wished it wasn’t necessary, but he understood.

She sighed. “All right. This is a terrible idea, but I can’t fight it anymore. Meet me at the Blind Pig at eight o’clock on Monday.” She gave him an address, which he scribbled down in a rush.

Ernie exhaled. “Thank you, Millie. You won’t regret it.”

“I already regret it.”

“But—”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be there anyway. I promise.”

He hated that she already regretted this, but it wasn’t worth arguing.

“All right.”

“Listen, Ernie, I should go. There’s someone waiting to use the phone booth.”

Much as he wished he could keep her on the line until he’d soothed all of her doubts, he knew he had to let her go.

“Be safe out there. I’ll see you Monday.”

“See you Monday.”

There was a click, and he hung up the receiver. Monday seemed an eternity away.

22

“Ineed your help, Beth.”

It was noon on Monday, a full eight hours before she was supposed to see Ernie. Millie stood in the living room in a silk robe, her wet hair wrapped in a towel.

“Help with what?” Beth asked, looking up from her book.

This was going to be humiliating, but it was time to confess. She lost the bet fair and square, and she needed Beth’s help to get ready for her date with Ernie.