His Very Own Girl by Carrie Lofty

You’ll be back in the air soon enough.”
    “Just be careful with my Austin.” Lee was the only pilot at Mersley who owned an automobile, which he’d won in a hand of poker during a layover outside Liverpool. Severe petrol rationing meant it rarely left the garage. “I might need it again. One day.”
    “If you ever decide to go out on a day off,” Felix said, snickering. “My mama hauls her little old self into town more often than you do.”
    “Your mama would stay home, too, if she had you around to fleece at cards.”
    “We’ll be good, Lee.” Paulie blew him a kiss. “Promise.”
    Nicky touched Lulu’s arm, giving her a pleasant shiver. “A word, Davies?”
    “Of course. You two bring the car around, yes? I’ll be right out.”
    Betsy and Paulie continued to the foyer while Lulu followed Nicky into the short corridor that connected the lounge and the dining room. He looked tired, and probably faced another three hours of paperwork.
    “You should come with us. You’d have a swell time.”
    She’d asked on a number of occasions, but he always refused. She wondered at his reasons. Only thirty-five years old, he was as robust as a man a decade his junior. He still flew three or four flights a week despite scheduling, budgeting, and handling relations with Command.
    She actually wanted to dance with Nicky, if only to see what it was like. He was her superior officer, which might complicate relations, but he would’ve made for a novel night out. They might see where his more obvious interest led.
    And he’s safe. Nicky isn’t going anywhere.
    To add strength to her invitation, she took his hands in hers. Frankly, she wanted to feel something— anything like the tingling anticipation that Joe’s skin brushed over hers. She was a prize idiot for craving that thrill over the companionship of her dear friend.
    “I’m well past making a fool of myself in a club.” Nicky kissed her knuckles, just as he had weeks previous. “I simply wanted to let you know that you’ve been approved for four-engine training.”
    Lulu couldn’t speak. She was too busy grinning past her shock. Nicky rocked back on his heels, just once, as if his news put a happy little spring in his step.
    “When?”
    “Couldn’t say. Soon, I’m hoping. Command needs all of us working at full strength. Whatever’s coming, it’s going to be big.”
    This time she felt a very different sort of anticipation, one closer to fear. A shadow stretched over the future. Aside from a tiny toehold in Italy where Allied forces had taken back territory, Hitler enshrouded the Continent in the darkness of Nazi oppression. Poland and the nations to the east had been gutted, their people slaughtered. France and the border nations had been subjugated and fortified with German tanks, artillery, and troops. To make even the smallest advance against such a prepared opponent would require the utmost in cooperation and sacrifice.
    Every chap she met tonight would take part in that deadly campaign.
    “The pilots have been talking,” she said, her throat dry. “We all feel it—an urgency, if you know my meaning. That’s why we’ve been working so hard. It’s finally coming together.”
    “So if you’re going to train, it’ll happen soon.”
    “I can hardly believe it.” Impulsively, she threw her arms around his neck and gave him a fierce hug. “You made this happen.”
    From outside came three quick bursts from the car horn.
    Nicky gave her a squeeze, then let go. He cleared his throat, as was his habit. “Nonsense. You worked hard. You’re skilled, dedicated, and you’ve earned it.”
    “Maybe, but no one’s ever believed in me as much as you have. That counts for so much. Thank you, Nicky.”
    With a bashful smirk, he nodded toward the foyer. “Go now. Have a good time.”
    His bright blue eyes still looked tired. He dropped a quick kiss on her forehead and strode down the corridor.
    Lulu wrestled with a strong urge to stay behind. She