"Carolyn." Lisa lowered her voice as she leaned closer to her friend. "Please, just ignore him. He's not a nice man. He is a good friend of ours but, trust me, he's not nice with women."

The immaculate, large living room with a glass wall made of small paned windows, opening to a view of the back garden, was full of couples; friends and neighbors, gathered to celebrate her husband’s fortieth birthday. The soft chatter of people was broken here and there with bursts of laughter, the quiet background music deepening the mood. Her guests were enjoying the party and Lisa felt pleased for that. What she didn't feel pleased about was Carolyn's sudden interest in Mike.

Her friend gazed at the tall, dark haired, handsome man across the room. His outfit was casual. Black dress pants and a gray cotton shirt, worn with the top button open. He was involved in a conversation with Lisa's husband Tom, and as Carolyn watched him, he laughed at something Tom said. He had a stunning smile, and Lisa noticed the gleam in her friend’s eyes. She obviously thought he was a good catch.

"Oh come on, Lisa! He can't be that bad, and he's really cute." Carolyn touched her blond hair lightly as if to make sure it was in order. Her deep cut, ebony, silk evening dress was elegant, and a simple diamond necklace, a leftover from her previous conquest, sparkled on her neck.

Lisa sighed. "How's your work these days, Carolyn?"

"Don't even try to change the subject." She glanced playfully at Lisa. "Tell me about him. What does he do for a living?"

"He's a pilot. He works as a Flight Captain for the UN, in Africa."

"Really? He looks quite young to be a Captain. Young, but cute.” She smiled and took hold of Lisa's arm. “You just have to introduce me to him."

"No, please, Carolyn. Just ignore him. Please." Her pleading had no affect. Carolyn had obviously decided to go after him, and Lisa was forced to follow her. Carolyn held on to her arm as she crossed the room to meet the men. Lisa's dress brushed against the big, soft couch that faced a stone fireplace. Two of her closest friends sat in the adjoining lush armchairs, and beckoned her to join them. She returned an apologetic smile as Carolyn pulled her along.

Lisa noted the adoring smile that spread across Tom's face as his gaze connected with hers. Her long, blond hair was tied up in curls, and she knew the stunning deep blue dress she wore fitted her perfectly. She smiled back at him, but then shot a quick warning glance at Carolyn, knowing Tom would get her meaning. He looked at Mike, who was busy talking to him as though there was no one else in the room, and smiled back at her knowingly.

"...we'd just touched down on the ice and I managed to make it sit on the snow really smoothly when suddenly the whole plane sunk to the left." Mike acted out the scene with his hands, leaning his body sideways as if he was at the controls of the aircraft, willing it to fly. "I had prepared for it since the guy who usually flies there warned me about it. So, because we were still hurtling along about ninety miles an hour, I simply pushed the throttles forward, leveled the wings and flew it along the ground onto safer ice."

"A crevice underneath?"

"Yeah. You can't tell from the air. It all looks absolutely smooth, and when you touch down it may be the last thing you do. That obviously counts only during the first flight of the season. The ground-crew check the ice fields regularly once they are there, but the first landing of the year can be a bit unnerving."

Mike still paid no heed to the women standing next to them. Lisa received a loving kiss on the cheek from Tom.

"Everything alright?"