31

CONNOR’S CELL PHONE VIBRATED IN HIS SHORTS POCKET AS HE WIPED down the nose of the White Knight. Even in the hangar, the dust from the Livermore hills managed to reach the plane and dull its gleaming stainless steel finish.

He pulled the phone out and his eyebrows went up when he saw who was calling. “Hi, Allie. What’s up?”

“Hey, Connor. I was wondering what you’re doing tonight.”

“Right now I’m out at the Livermore Airport working on my plane.” He wiped his hands on a rag, switching the phone from hand to hand as he spoke. “Did you want to talk about Max’s decision? I can’t right now, but give me half an hour and I’ll be ready.”

“Uh, that’s okay. We’re scheduled to talk about that tomorrow morning, aren’t we?”

“Yeah. 11:30.”

Silence.

Something was weird. “Is anything wrong?”

“No, no. I was just thinking that it might be fun to get together for a glass of wine or something. Not publicly, of course. Go to an out-of-the-way little bistro or bar, walk in separately, and sit in the back. No one will see us. What do you say?”

He had no idea what to say, so he stalled. “Sounds like fun, but I’ve already got plans tomorrow. I don’t have my calendar with me, but I might be free Friday.”

“Uh, Friday is bad for me. How about tonight? You’re always bragging on the restaurant at that one winery out in Livermore—what’s the name?”

Tonight? His heart started beating faster. The firm wouldn’t like it, but then the firm didn’t really have to know. “Wente.”

“That’s it. And I’d love to see your plane. Antique, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, P-51. World War II fighter.”

“How cool! So, is tonight good?”

Connor blinked and stared at the hangar wall without really seeing it. He knew this was a bad idea, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. Besides, one of the perks of having a family like his was that he could afford a bad idea every now and then. “Um, sure. Tonight is great.” He glanced at the cockpit, which his grandfather had modified to seat two. It was a tight fit, but would that be so terrible? “Hey, would you like me to take you flying?”

She didn’t hesitate. “I’d love it!”

“Great!” He glanced at his watch. 5:00. “If you can be out here by seven, I can take you up for a ride before we head out to Wente.”

“I’ll be there.”

“Excellent. I’ll see you at seven. I’ll meet you in the parking lot outside the main building.”

He clicked off the phone and sucked in a deep breath. He blew it out slowly and ran his fingers through his hair. Wow.

Two hours later, Connor stood in the airport parking lot playing Brickbreaker on his Blackberry and trying not to think about the evening ahead. But the unanswerable questions kept sneaking back into his mind. What exactly were Allie’s intentions? For that matter, what were his? What would tonight mean tomorrow when he was back behind his polished walnut desk and Allie was his client?

Better to just relax and let the evening unfold.

A red Cooper Mini pulled into the lot and he recognized Allie behind the wheel. She spotted him, smiled, and waved. He waved back. “And here we go,” he said to himself as he walked over to meet her.