Blue Skies by Adrianne Byrd Page A

Sydney leaned forward, determined to end this childishness for once and for all. “I’m not interested in anything you have to say concerning Lt. Colton. Not now, not ever. And while we’re at it, I’m not here to make new friends either. I have plenty. In the sky, in combat, you’ll never have to worry. I have your back. I’ll risk my life for you and for my country. None of that means we have to be friends. In fact, I’d prefer that we weren’t.”
    The women’s gaze locked and held.
    “Bullshit,” Niecy proclaimed. “You don’t have any friends.”
    Against her will, Sydney’s poker face melted. “You got me.”
     
     
    Curiosity and fear was killing Jett as he watched Captain Post and Captain Garrett whisper and toss narrowed glances in his direction. Before Trenese joined the equation, he honestly gave himself a fifty-fifty chance of charming his beautiful fighter pilot. Now, his odds lingered somewhere in the realms of ‘a snow ball chance in hell’.
    Lunch ended all too soon. He watched the women as they gathered their trays and clustered together during the walk back to class.
    What was Post telling her? What wouldn’t she tell her?
    His mind raced over the possibilities-and there were a lot of them.
    Jett believed Trenese had seized an opportunity to thwart whatever plans he had for or with Sydney because he had turned down several of Captain’s Post advances. ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorn’, Jett’s older brother, Xavier, drilled into his head. Why hadn’t he listened?
    Sarah, Cathy, Nancy, and Melanie had all been friends or associates of Trenese, much to his dismay-more so now than ever. Jett could just imagine the horror stories his former friend took great delight in rehashing to Sydney.
    Jett Colton was a dog, a smooth talking ‘playa’ who’s after one thing. He stopped his wild musing scenario and reflected for a moment. Maybe there was some truth in that description.
    A few times Jett tried to focus on what Maj. O’Keefe’s speech.
    “The mission of the 414 th Combat Training Squadron is to conduct air power training exercises known as Red Flags. A red flag is a realistic combat training exercises involving the U.S. and its allies.”
    Jett’s attention boomeranged back Sydney. He studied and committed to memory her studious profile. He rather liked the long, graceful line of her neck, the inviting softness of her skin, and the long, lush curl of her eyelashes.
    If he had to use one word to describe her beauty, it would be: perfection . What made Captain Garrett so intriguing was either she didn’t know or didn’t care about her effect on the opposite sex.
    “Any questions?” Maj. O’Keefe thundered as his dull green eyes searched the faces of his captivated audience.
    When no hands shot up, the major nodded his satisfaction. “Good then I will see everyone here tomorrow morning at 0700 hours-make sure you remember to bring your flight suits. We’re hitting the skies. Dismissed.”
    Everyone sprung from the chairs and filled the classroom with a low murmur as they filed out of the door. Once again, Jett remained his seat.
    He waited and prayed to catch Sydney’s eyes; however, as she gathered her things, Sydney’s gaze darted in every direction-but his.
    Captain Post was another story.
    Jett felt her heavy gaze long before he looked at her. When he did, Niecy resembled a cat with canary feathers protruding from her mouth. He narrowed his gaze and gave her the slightest nod, signaling his declaration of war.
    Captain Post moved next to Sydney and the women fell into another easy stream of conversation. When they walked past his desk, Jett strained to hear Sydney’s words.
    “You can have him,” Sydney said and marched out the door.
    Jett closed his eyes and groaned. This might be the shortest war ever fought.

Chapter 9
    “So do you like him?” Steven’s question filtered through the phone line.
    “Of course not,” Sydney’s indignant voice bounced off