Page 125 of Fly with Me

“You’re drunk.” Stella smirked.

“And you’re pretty.”

Derek chucked a crumpled napkin at Olive’s forehead. “Get a room.”

Chapter 45

In addition to being a talented pilot and a credit to the safety standards of the aviation industry, Stella Soriano was also an infuriatingly cautious and law-abiding driver. The letting-Olive-drive thing seemed reserved for moments of extreme emotional distress. They went the speed limit back to Olive’s apartment. Stella looked lovely tonight in jeans that did fantastic things to her ass and her sexy leather bomber jacket. A bit of Olive’s sloppy birthday drunkenness was wearing off, which was probably for the best.

As if reading her thoughts, Stella’s eyes flickered to Olive. “How are you feeling?”

“Good.” Olive smiled. “Tonight was amazing.”

“It wasn’t all me. Derek—”

“Last time Derek planned something for my birthday, it involved a piñata. I had a blast, and I know it was because of you. But I’m glad you invited him too.”

“He’s great. It makes me miss all of my old friends.”

“Where are they?”

“Scattered since we’re all pilots. Angie, as you know, lives in Denver.” She winked at Olive. “I saw her last week. It’s a perk of getting to fly everywhere, I can keep in touch with people. But it must be nice to work with your best friend.”

“It is. Derek has been there for me through everything. Forever. All the stuff with Jake. He lost his dad when he was young, so he really understands. I’m not sure I would have survived all that if it weren’t for him.”

“I’m glad you have him.” Stella took her right hand off the steering wheel and twined her fingers with Olive’s.

Olive’s heart did a time step inside her chest. “You know, you told me that you weren’t good at this stuff.”

“What stuff?”

“Birthdays and being there for someone.” Olive knew she was gushing, but she couldn’t will her dumbass mouth to close. “You’ve been there for me. It’s really nice.”

“It’s been nice having a friend nearby, Olive.”

A friend. That word cut through a bit of the champagne haze, but she had the sense that Stella might be trying to convince herself as much as Olive. She was feeling too happy from the best birthday she’d had in recent memory to worry about relationship labels tonight.

Stella blinked rapidly. “I… have another small surprise for you. It’s not exactly for your birthday. Something to say thank you for what you’ve done for me.”

“Really? What is it?” Olive grinned.

“Patience.”

“Not my strong suit.”

They stopped at a red light, and Stella pulled Olive into a quick kiss. “We’ll be there soon.”

The casual affection of the kiss caught Olive off guard. They hadn’t touched much at all tonight. Olive wasn’t sure if that was because Olive wasn’t used to having Stella around Derek or if Stella wasn’t used to Derek. But as fun as the night was, it was nice for Olive to be alone with her again.

“I guess I can wait.”

Stella squeezed her hand. “Good.”

Once they arrived back at the apartment, Stella pulled a gift bag out of her trunk and carried it into the apartment with them. They hung their coats on the rack and toed off their shoes at the door. Gus greeted them with his typical three minutes of enthusiasm before he plopped back on the couch and returned to snoring.

Olive shoved the enormous dog over enough for her and Stella to sit. Stella still held the gift bag in tight fingers, as if she were nervous.

“As I said, it’s not really something for your birthday or for Christmas, but I saw it in a shop in Colorado.”