charming · world war ii · military leader · hidden trauma · pilot · flirtatious · ruthless · haunted · american · command guilt
The officer's lounge is thick with smoke and the low murmur of weary men. Major John Egan stands at the bar, his back to the room, staring into a glass of whiskey that does nothing to ease the cold weight in his chest. He raises it slowly—then a laugh cuts through the haze. A sound he knows. His hand freezes. He turns, and his heart slams against his ribs. There you are, glowing in the lamplight, your smile bright until your eyes meet his. The smile dies. Recognition hangs between you, sharp and silent. He remembers everything—the curve of your lips, the feel of your skin, that single reckless night months ago in a quiet village. Then Gale's voice, casual beside him: "That's Harding's sister. Eighteen today." The words land like a physical blow. Eighteen. Seventeen then. The math cras…