Free Dreams Take Flight by Jim Dalton Page A

stopped and spun to her right, so she could see both Lucas and Mike. Trying to make it sound like an afterthought, Heather said, “This was a quick trip. Why don’t you guys come over to my place for a nightcap?”
    Mike responded first, saying, “I’d love to. Lucas, you in?”
    “I could swing by for a little while. I have class at ten later this morning, so I can’t stay long—gotta get some sleep, you know!”
    Unlike most evenings, the route to their cars took them through the lobby rather than asking Heather to weave around the airplanes parked in the hanger. As they entered the lobby, Autumn greeted them warmly: “Welcome back to St. Louis. So how was your trip tonight? Better than the last one?”
    Heather was quick to answer. “Much better than the last. Tonight was perfect.”
    “You guys look like you’re on a mission!” Autumn said. “You aren’t just going to pass through and leave, are you? Anybody want to stick around and chat? It’s been dead all night.”
    Mike, Lucas, and Heather all stood directly across the counter from Autumn. Each glanced at the other, not sure how to respond to Autumn’s invitation.
    “Hey, Autumn,” Lucas finally said.
    Not wanting the conversation between Autumn and Lucas to go any further, Heather interrupted, saying, “Autumn, these guys have put up with me for a couple of flights. I figure the least I can do is have them over for a nightcap.”
    “Sounds like fun. If you wait until six, I’ll go with you.”
    “That offer’s hard to refuse,” said Heather, “but Lucas can only stay for a little while.”
    “Likely story. You two need a chaperone.”
    “I don’t think a chaperone is needed,” retorted Heather, “but if so, we have Mike.”
    Mike quickly responded by saying, “Hey, that makes me feel like a third wheel. What’s this chaperone stuff? You don’t think I need watching?”
    “Mike, I’m just joking,” said Heather.
    “I know,” said Mike.
    Heather turned to face Autumn and said, “Thanks for the offer, Autumn, but not tonight. See you tomorrow night.”
    Autumn responded with an upbeat voice. “You guys take care and have fun! See you tomorrow.”
    On the surface, everyone seemed to be having a good time as they matched wits with one another, while Lucas felt out of place. Nothing being said sounded cute or funny. Given the choice, he’d rather stick around and talk to Autumn instead of going for a drink with Mike and Heather. Heather was feeling anxious, and Autumn was annoyed by being excluded from their outing. Mike was just busy trying to think of a way to get things moving for Heather.
    As the three reached the Gold Coast exit, Mike started to open the door for the others, but then turned to Lucas and Heather. “I just remembered that I have a meeting at eight tomorrow,” he said. “I’ve got to get some shut-eye. Have a good night, though, you two.”
    “Join us next time?” Heather asked before Lucas even had time to register Mike’s excuse.
    How did I let this happen ? Lucas thought to himself. There won’t be a “next time.”
    The three passed through the lobby and into the parking lot.
    Mike turned back to Heather and Lucas on his way to his own car. “Have a nice evening! See ya tomorrow night,” he said. Lucas and Heather walked to their own cars, which were separated by a few hundred feet. The lot was almost empty, so they had no trouble keeping an eye on one another. Heather pulled out first, followed by Lucas.
    Lucas had never seen any personal aspect of Heather except for her warm, soft legs extending beyond the bounds of her miniskirt. Behind the wheel, he thought to himself, This is strange. Here I am just watching Heather pull out in her car, and I suddenly feel a personal connection with her. I’ve had her legs brush against me—no, rub against me. I’ve looked up her skirt—well, that’s not exactly how it went, but I may as well have. Every time I looked at the BMEP instrument, that’s all I