Chapter 9 #3
“I didn’t have time to explain that your hands were in the wrong position,” Zita said calmly. “You never would’ve dislodged what she was choking on by pressing on her sternum. That’s for CPR, not choking.”
“You’re a liar! I know what I was doing! I’ve been trained in first-aid. I was doing just fine until you assaulted me so you could take over.”
Obi-Wan couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Carmen was pissed she didn’t get credit for saving the woman’s life? What a bitch.
In response, Zita shook her head in exasperation and walked back toward the table where she’d been sitting.
“I’m not done talking to you!” Carmen sneered.
Zita continued to ignore her.
Silas took a step toward her, and Obi-Wan got between them again. “Don’t even think about it.”
The look the large man gave him was full of menace and hate.
Which was pretty interesting, considering they hadn’t shared more than a few words in all the time they’d been on set together.
But then again, if the man was sleeping with Carmen—and feeling possessive and protective of her—it was no surprise he believed every word that came out of her mouth.
Namely, that she’d been cheated out of the accolades that came with saving someone’s life.
Looking over, Obi-Wan was relieved to see Zita heading out of the area. It was taking a hot second, because of how many people were stopping her to thank her and to say how impressed they were with what she’d done.
Obi-Wan hurried after her, looking over his shoulder to make sure Silas and Carmen weren’t coming, as well.
They weren’t. Silas had his arm around Carmen’s shoulders but she wasn’t leaning into him.
She was glaring at Zita as if she hoped daggers would come out her eyes and strike her down where she stood.
The level of hate in her expression made Obi-Wan extremely uneasy. And he was very glad the woman would be heading back to California in the next few days.
Rushing after Zita, he caught up to her outside the small break area. “You okay?” he asked.
She looked at him. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“That was intense.”
To Obi-Wan’s surprise, she laughed. “Sage, this is what I do. The Heimlich? It’s like Paramedic 101. I mean, I’m glad the woman is all right and that I was in the right place at the right time, but seriously, it wasn’t that big of a deal.”
Only Zita would say that saving someone’s life wasn’t a big deal.
Although he supposed that it probably wasn’t for her.
Just like flying most missions wasn’t a big deal for Obi-Wan.
He was good at what he did, and Zita was obviously just as good at what she did.
She didn’t hesitate to do what needed to be done in order to help that woman.
“Carmen’s not happy,” he said unnecessarily.
Zita rolled her eyes. “She’s never happy.
I don’t care. She was honestly hurting that woman more than helping her.
If she’d been doing the Heimlich right, I wouldn’t have interfered.
I would’ve stood by to help if needed, but I wouldn’t have yanked her away.
But she wasn’t, so I did. I’m not going to apologize for that. ”
“And you shouldn’t. You want to come over tonight for the first part of our movie night?”
It was an awkward transition, but Obi-Wan didn’t care.
They could be interrupted again, and the right time to ask her out might not come again.
He was old fashioned. Didn’t want to ask her out over text.
Or even over the phone. He could read her expressions face-to-face.
See if she truly wanted to go out with him again or not.
Zita stopped walking. She hugged her laptop to her chest and looked up at him. “Tonight?”
“Sure. After today, the set will be closed down for a week while they go and set up in the mountains. It’s the perfect time for us to get to know each other better. You are going to the secondary location, right?”
“Of course. Are you sure you don’t need a break from all this?” she asked, putting her hand up and circling it around, as if indicating the entire set…and herself.
“I do. But I don’t need a break from you,” Obi-Wan said simply.
“Oh, that’s…that’s nice. Sure. I’d like that.”
The tension Obi-Wan was feeling lightened, now that she’d agreed. “Great. I can pick you up at your motel again. How does five sound? Is that too early?”
“No, but is it for you? What time do you usually work until?”
It would be a little tight, and he’d have to leave work a bit early, but he hoped his teammates wouldn’t mind.
The last mission they’d been researching was scrapped, and hopefully it would stay quiet.
His leave started in a week, and he’d be able to give all his attention to the more complicated set and the choppers that would be flown in for the movie.
Not to mention Carmen and her sidekick wouldn’t be on set, which would be a huge relief for Obi-Wan.
And probably everyone involved with the project.
Carmen was a diva, and while a very good actress, she was a pain in the ass.
“Sage?”
“Sorry, we usually work until five, but we don’t have anything going on right now, so I’m sure I can leave a bit early. We can order dinner once we get to my place. Sound good?”
“Sure.”
“And this goes without saying, but you’re safe with me, Zita. Just because we’re going to my place doesn’t mean I expect anything other than a nice evening getting to know a woman I enjoy being around very much.”
“Thanks. I appreciate the reassurance.”
“Of course.”
“But does that mean we’re friends?”
Obi-Wan frowned. “I’d like to think so.”
“I mean…are we just friends? Because I have to admit, I liked that kiss we shared too, but I wouldn’t really consider it a friend thing. And don’t think I didn’t notice how you had my back when Gigantor wanted to take me out for daring to touch his sugar mama. Thank you for that.”
She was joking about what happened, but Obi-Wan hadn’t realized she even knew what was going on behind her.
He thought she was too focused on the woman choking in her arms. But he should’ve known she was aware on some level that there was a threat.
Yet it hadn’t stopped her from doing her job in the moment.
His respect for her grew. In many ways, she was a lot like him and his teammates. Or the special forces soldiers they transported. Even when the shit was hitting the fan, they did their jobs, relying on their teammates to have their backs.
“You’re welcome. And we’re friends for now. Do I want more? Yes. Hell yes. Not a day has gone by since we’ve met that I haven’t thought about you. And trust me, that hasn’t happened in a very long time. But I don’t want a one-night stand.”
“Me either. But…we live on opposite sides of the country,” Zita said, looking a little upset about that.
“One day at a time, sweetheart. That’s all we can do. For now, food, movies, and talking. Maybe a kiss here and there.”
“Okay. I can live with that. Five o’clock.”
“Watch your six today,” Obi-Wan warned. “Carmen was humiliated back there. At least she thinks she was. She’s not happy, and I have no idea what she’ll do as a result.”
“I’m planning on staying out of her way for the rest of the day, for sure.
Which won’t be hard, since I have a meeting with the producer and the set designer about safety on the secondary set.
It’s important that Logan not be pushed too hard, physically or emotionally, as he films the scenes where he’s on the run and hiding in the woods.
Actors and actresses can sometimes get too immersed in their roles and suffer as a result. ”
This woman…she was good down to her bones.
And every time she spoke, it felt as if Obi-Wan was falling harder for her.
“That’s true. Especially considering what the pilot who actually was shot down went through.
Okay, if you need anything, or if you need to change our plans, just let me know.
I have a short meeting about something in the script, then I’ll be headed over to the hangar at the airport to look over the helicopters that’ll be used at the next location. ”
“Thanks for the coffee, as usual,” Zita said, holding up the cup in a small salute.
“You’re welcome. Good job back there.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll see you tonight.”
“Anything I should bring?”
They were prolonging their goodbye, but Obi-Wan didn’t even care. “Just yourself.”
“Okay. See you around five then.”
“Five.”
They stood there for a split second, and Obi-Wan wanted to lean down and kiss her more than he wanted to breathe. But they weren’t alone, people were walking all around them on the set, and the last thing he wanted to do was cause more gossip or make Zita feel uncomfortable.
As they stared at each other, she licked her lips as if she was thinking about the same thing he was.
“Bye,” he said, as he took a step backward.
“See ya.”
Forcing himself to turn around and walk away, Obi-Wan couldn’t stop himself from looking over his shoulder after a few steps…
and he found Zita standing exactly where he’d left her, staring at him with a longing in her eyes that weakened his resolve not to kiss her.
But he hadn’t endured years of training in patience for nothing.
He’d get to see her tonight. Spend time with her. Kiss her.
It would have to be enough for now.
Thankful that he’d hopefully seen the last of Carmen St. James and wouldn’t have to deal with her harassment any longer, Obi-Wan almost felt carefree as he headed for his meeting with the script supervisor. One week, then he’d get to the most interesting part of his job as military advisor.
Not only that, but he’d have a week off from meetings at the base, a week to spend with Zita. They’d both be working, but hopefully they’d be able to find time—more time than they had in the city—to hang out.
And of course, there was the week before filming began again, when the crew was traveling to the west side of the state and preparing the sets. Maybe he could convince Zita to remain in Norfolk, drive together to the new location. They’d have even more time to get to know each other.
Things were looking up, and even with the irritation of Carmen, Obi-Wan was thankful as hell for being where he was. For meeting Zita.