Explosive Alliance (Wingmen Warriors 9)

"About needing closure." She pointed to the yellow home at the end of the cul-de-sac.

"There. Pull over and stop, please.">God, she was hungry. Petit four, pronto.

"Uh-huh. He was dating a flight attendant last May, but that's the last one we can remember."

"I'm sorry to disappoint the rumor mill, but we're not dating." Only planning to have sex.

Just liking each other and trying to hold on to objectivity that kept slipping away faster than the waves retreating from the shore.

"Yeah, right. If I believe that one, I'm sure you'd like to sell me a bridge and some swampland."

What could she say to that? Nothing. This woman had made up her mind—and she wasn't far off the mark. Best to change the subject. "So, which of these people crew together?"

"Nice segue. Okay, I can take the hint." The younger woman washed down another meatball with a glass of sparkling water. "They don't have set crews unless they're flying combat. But each of the different squadrons are tight, and certain groupings tend to fly together. Bo crews with Scorch over there whenever he can."

Paige swept her windblown hair from her face, and yeah, she'd left it down for Bo, for herself, too, because Kurt preferred she keep it confined with a fourteen-karat-gold clasp.

"Scorch?"

"He once set his mustache on fire in a bar with a flaming Dr. Pepper drink." Shadows crossed her face that seemed to have nothing to do with the setting sun. "The two of them flew with my dad some over in Rubistan."

Nikki shook off the shadows and continued, "My dad also really likes to fly with Cobra.

Let's just say his call sign came from the time he dropped his pants once as a joke, and snake references quickly followed. Marriage settled his butt right down, though."

There were so many names she could barely keep them all straight. Like wait, who were Bronco and Rodeo and how come with names like that neither one was a cowboy?

"Where's the commander?" She would have expected him to be at an important event like this, partying right alongside the other crewmembers circling the bonfire.

"He's off picking up his brother-in-law from college, packing up the extra gear and stuff."

"Brother-in-law? I didn't know he's married."

"Oh, he's not anymore. Actually, he's a widower. Most folks don't know, which is a shame because it makes his grouchiness a bit more forgivable."

"I thought everyone knew everything about each other around here." She tipped back her punch cup, pineapple with a definite kick.

"Like I said before, Colonel Quade's a real grouch, so nobody really pries in his business.

The brother-in-law went to boarding school. I only know about him because he started at UNC with me this year. We've carpooled a couple of times." She fanned her face with her hand. "The guy's a real hottie, all dark hair and has this fabulously yummy South American accent. Too young for me though."

She started to ask Nikki who she was seeing—

"Bo's a great guy."

Paige froze, wondering if maybe this woman had once been with him or wanted to be.

They certainly seemed closer in age.

Nikki laughed. "No. Bo and I are definitely not an item, never have been, never will be.

He's like a big obnoxious brother. Know what I mean?"

"I have one of those."

"Exactly. He's helped me with some course selections and stuff. I was finishing up my teaching degree at UNC Chapel Hill, where the colonel's brother-in-law goes, too."

"That's nice." She busied herself with more punch to hide her relief while the bonfire flames crackled higher.