Free Flight by Siena Colmer

this one need a lot of care?”
    “ No, the bird’s nest fern is very easy to take care of compared to most of the other fern types. It doesn’t require too much attention,” Mandy answered. “If you leave it in the bathroom a few times a week, it will get plenty of moisture.”
    “ Good, then this would be perfect for Ryle,” the blond murmured.
    Charlie was left momentarily alone with Ryle, holding a sleeping Megan. He didn’t seem at all interested in helping to pick plants for his apartment.
    “ You’re a busy woman.” Ryle said quietly to Charlie so his voice won’t startle the toddler awake. “Engineer by day and florist by weekends?”
    “ Mandy runs this shop great on her own. I’m just here to keep her and the baby company.” she responded coolly.
    Ryle glanced down at the sleeping toddler in her arms, “So, you like children, hmm?” he drawled softly.
    “ Apparently so do you.” Charlie returned icily, glancing pointedly in the direction where the bubbly blond was chatting animatedly with Mandy.
    Instead of getting angry at her remark, Ryle grinned, amusement dancing in his eyes.  “Jealous?”
    Charlie stiffened, her eyes narrowing dangerously. But before she could give him a scathing retort, they were interrupted by his companion.
    “ Well, I think nine pots of plants should be enough for now,” She came up and lightly linked her arm through Ryle’s, tilting her head back to look at him, completely unaware of the sudden tension between him and Charlie. “What do you think, Ryle?”
    “ Whatever you say, sweetheart; you’re the boss.” He said teasingly, with an easy affection that spoke of familiarity and she giggled.
    Charlie turned away abruptly, disgusted by what she was witnessing. He was always friendly and easy-going with everyone at PAL. But then, she wasn’t interested in becoming friends with him. So why did it bothered her that he had a girlfriend in Chicago? Why did the knowledge leave such an empty feeling in her? 
    She put Megan down in the cot beside her chair. Almost mechanically, Charlie started wrapping up the pots of plants Mandy had put on the counter, desperately trying to ignore the teasing banter between Ryle and his companion.
    “ So, what were you talking with that guy about?” Mandy whispered, coming up beside her to help wrap the plants.
    Before Charlie could answer, the blond walked up to the counter to pay for the plants. “Thank you so much for your help,” she smiled brightly at Mandy and Charlie.
    “ See you later,” Ryle drawled at Charlie before he and his companion left carrying the plants.
    “ What does he mean by that?” Mandy turned to Charlie with wide surprised eyes.
    “ Nothing.” Charlie said dismissingly.
    “ Charlie, you fast worker you! In less than ten minutes, you’d managed to make a date with that hot guy? How did you do it?”
    “ Don’t be silly, Mandy, of course I don’t have a date with him. He’s with that beautiful blond, or did you forget? And I’m dating Jeff, remember?”
    Mandy looked at her a little disbelievingly.  “Then what was that about seeing you later?”
    Charlie could see no way out of this other than to tell her friend the truth.
    Charlie sighed, knowing Mandy wouldn’t let her get away so easily without telling her.  “Ryle works at PAL, that’s all.”
    “ Oh.” Her friend said. “I don’t remember you ever mention him before.”
    “ He’s fairly new.”
    “ Oh, yeah, I guess that’s why his girlfriend is here to help him buy plants.”
    “ Yeah.” Charlie muttered, gritting her teeth. How could he try to hook up with her when he had a girlfriend? Didn’t he check her out very thoroughly yesterday? Or was that just a case of when the cat was away?
    “ So what does he do? One of those high power positions like you?” Mandy asked interestedly.
    “ Actually, he does all the menial tasks in Bay 6.” Charlie said with some satisfaction.
    Mandy looked surprised.  “Really? He