"Hey, Penny," Jake's voice called out, breaking the spell of quietude that had briefly settled over the bar. The other guys trailed in behind him, their laughter echoing off the wooden walls.

“Welcome back, boys.” Penny smiled.

You looked up from your task of polishing a pint glass, your eyes meeting Jake's. His smile was wider than usual, a glint in his green gaze that hadn't been there before. "How's it goin’, sweetheart?" The term of endearment slipped from his lips with a casualness that made your heart flutter.

“If it isn’t Jake’s cute little bar girl,” Rooster, one of the other aviators, teased as they all claimed their usual spots around the bar.

Jake’s cheeks flushed slightly at the ribbing, but his smile didn’t waver as he leaned against the counter. “Cut it out, Rooster. She’s not my anything,” he replied, his voice a playful growl. He slid a twenty across the bar top, the corners crinkling from his firm grip. “Drinks on me tonight, darlin’. And whatever they tell you about me, it ain’t true.”