JACKIE O

LIVING ROOM

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16

7:52 PM

Allie's POV

Allie adjusted her silvery camisole she wore over her swimwear and fixed her eyes on Mel's advancing figure. The sun had already begun to dip, skies blushing cotton-candy pink streaks. Allie opened the French doors and took his hand.

"So, how long is the walk?" Allie asked, as they headed toward a cluster of palm trees.

"About three miles," answered Mel, unnaturally casually.

Allie stopped and stared. "We're walking three miles?" she gasped/ not that Allie was a couch potato or anything. It was just, she thought in panic, the two-inch heels she had on.

Mel's grin broadened, and took her hand. "Who said anything about walking?" he asked as he swept aside the bushes and bowed.

Allie gasped. Parked in front of her was what looked like a huge clear bubble, with two light pink seats and a touch-screen dashboard.

"A Personal Alpha Plane!" she smiled, pressing her hands against the plastic-glass. She'd ridden one once with Charlie, but riding with Mel was a whole lot different.

Mel took her swim bag and pulled something small out of his pocket. It chirped, and the back rose. He stashed the bag inside and chirped the thing again, pulling open the door to the cockpit for Allie.

She grinned as Mel shut the door and got into the pilot's seat. His hands moved over the controls, less surely than Charlie's but steadily enough, and the PAP rose swiftly. The same British woman's voice came on, notifying the pair that they were in airspace.

They skimmed over the island. Trees dragged below them as Allie floated over the island, almost like a real bubble.

Ping!

Allie fished out her aPod, scanning the message.

Skye: Are you going to Laine's?

Allie: Yes.

Skye: Please pick me up! I saw your PAP. I'm near the Pavilion.

A part of Allie wanted to ignore Skye and be alone with Mel the entire way. But that was not good friendship, so Allie told Mel about Skye and he made an awkward U-turn, landing safely (if not a little bumpily) near Skye.

"Thanks," Skye panted. She'd run all the way here, balancing on heels too, aPod still clutched in her hand. Mel got out, and Allie noticed a flaw in the plan.

"Where are you going to ride?" she asked, running her hand over the PAP. Two seats were squished in the front, and the only space left was—

"The back!" Skye suggested. "I can ride in the trunk." Before Allie could say anything, she'd wedged her legs uncomfortably beside Allie's swim bag and rested her own on her lap. "Fits!"

Allie had to laugh at Skye. Her long legs were squashed against the wall and she turned and shifted, trying to get comfortable. Mel's eyes twinkled in amusement.

"Okay, maybe it's not the best of conditions, but at least I can get there," Skye mumbled, a tad grumpily.

Allie laughed again, gave Skye a hug, and got back in. The PAP rose gently and swayed, engine humming.