CHAPTER SEVEN #2
Charley laughed softly. “That’s one way to put it.”
She felt the tension in her shoulders ease a bit.
Being around him was unexpectedly easy. He had this calmness about him, like a quiet confidence wrapped in charm and steadiness.
It had been there on the water when he helped her, and now it was here.
But it also made her heart beat a little too fast. Being near him again brought back the memory of how safe she had felt even when everything had gone wrong.
She wasn’t used to feeling that way around anyone. Let alone someone like him.
She shifted slightly, resting her hip against the counter, and tilted her head. “So, how do you know Jessica and Ray?”
Pierce’s lips tugged into a small smile. “I work with Ray.”
That clicked immediately, and Charley nodded. “Right. Jessica mentioned her husband was a SEAL. I guess I should have figured.”
Pierce gave her a small, knowing smile. “We’re a subtle bunch.”
“I can tell,” she teased lightly.
“And what about you?” he asked. “How do you know Jessica?”
“We met at the smoothie shop the other day. She noticed the foundation name on my shirt, and we started talking. We exchanged numbers, and she invited me today.”
“That sounds like Jess,” Pierce said, his gaze lingering on her, warm and amused. “She’s good at making people feel welcome.”
“Yeah,” Charley said softly. “She really is.”
She was about to say something else when the door slid open, and Jessica stepped back into the kitchen, carrying an empty tray.
“Hope I’m not interrupting,” she said with a slight mischievous smile playing on her lips.
Charley quickly straightened, trying to ease the flutter lingering in her chest. “Not at all. We were just catching up.”
Jessica raised an eyebrow but said nothing as she set the tray in the sink. “Perfect timing then. There are a bunch of people dying to meet you,” Jessica told Charley.
“They want to meet me?” Charley asked, pointing at herself.
Jessica grinned. “They want to talk to you about the foundation. I told you that people are excited about it.”
Charley felt her heart jump a little. She was thrilled that people were excited about the foundation. But she was also still adjusting to her new role and being more in the public eye. Again, she wasn’t used to a lot of attention being drawn to her.
As Charley followed Jessica toward the sliding door, she felt Pierce fall into step beside her.
“I hope you like kids because there are quite a few and they are a rambunctious group,” Jessica said.
Charley smiled. The mention of kids made her think of Sienna. “Kids aren’t a problem for me.”
As Charley stepped outside onto the large patio, she eyed two large tables filled with men and women. While the men appeared to eye her curiously, the women all welcomed her with smiles.
Charley smoothed her hand over the front of her shirt and trailed after Jessica as she made her way to the tables. The scent of charcoal from the grill filled the air, along with children’s laughter. A classic rock station played from a portable speaker.
Jessica cleared her throat, getting everyone’s attention. “Hey everyone, I’d like to introduce you all to a new friend of mine. This is Charley. She is the one I told you about who is leading the West Coast expansion of the Jacob Hardesty Foundation.”
Charley smiled and gave a small wave. “Hi. It’s nice to meet everyone.”
She received warm smiles and a few verbal hellos.
“Have a seat,” Jessica said, motioning toward two open seats near the middle of the table.
Before Charley sat down, Pierce asked her if she wanted something to drink.
“Um, I’ll take a water for now,” she told him and then took one of the seats.
A few moments later, Pierce reappeared and took the seat next to Charley.
“Here you go,” he said, handing her a bottle of water.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling at him.
He nodded, then twisted the top off his beer bottle and took a swig.
Charley didn’t miss the few curious glances she and Pierce were getting. While Jessica was running around bringing out more food, Pierce made all the introductions. It was no surprise that all the guys worked together.
Pierce pointed toward the grill. “Over there, talking with Ray are Seth, Cole, and Zane.”
Charley eyed them, thinking they looked familiar. Then it dawned on her.
“They were with you when we met,” she said, looking at Pierce for confirmation.
Pierce nodded. “Yeah.”
“So, is everyone here an instructor, like you?” she asked.
“Most are. Ray actually oversees BUD/s training. He’s kind of like the boss. Seth, Cole, and Zane…” Pierce paused for a moment, his gaze drifting back toward the grill, where the three men stood close together but oddly apart from everyone else. “Those three are helping out while they recover.”
Charley followed his line of sight again, really looking this time.
Seth stood tall but rigid, his shoulders squared in a way that felt more like habit than comfort. Cole kept his arms folded across his chest, shifting occasionally like he couldn’t get fully settled. And Zane had that thousand–yard stare Charley recognized far too well.
It reminded her of her brother when he came home from his last deployment.
“They went through something pretty bad,” she murmured, almost to herself.
Pierce’s jaw tightened. “Yeah,” he said. “A month ago, their team was ambushed. Eight men went in.” He swallowed hard. “Only those three made it out.”
Charley felt her chest tighten. Without even thinking, she placed her hand on his arm in a comforting way. “That’s awful.”
He offered her a small smile. “They’re good men. Losing a teammate, never mind five, hits hard. Harder than most people ever see.”
Charley studied his face, how his expression had softened, the sadness in the corners of his eyes, the tension in his shoulders. He wasn’t just sharing information. He was hurting for them.
“You care about them,” she said gently.
“Yeah,” Pierce admitted, voice low. “We all do. Ray especially. That’s why he got them out here today. Fresh air, familiar faces, sometimes that’s the only thing that keeps a guy from going under.”
Charley nodded, absorbing every word. She didn’t know their stories. But she didn’t need details to recognize trauma when it stood right in front of her.
“Well, if there’s anything the Foundation can do for them, let me know.”
Pierce smiled. “Thanks. I’ll be sure to let them know.”
Trying to lighten up the mood, she laughed under her breath. “You know, I think I picked the right day to break down out on the water.”
Pierce chuckled. “I would say that you did. And if I’m being honest, I’m glad I was there to lend a hand,” he said.
Her heart gave a small flutter hearing his words, and she wondered if he was flirting with her. Not that she was against it because she felt a pleasant, easy connection with Pierce, and it seemed mutual.
Before she could respond, Jessica’s bright voice floated in from the doorway.
“Food is ready. Please, everyone, help yourselves.”
“Do you like burgers?” Pierce asked.
“They’re one of my favorite foods,” Charley responded with a grin.
“Well, then, you are in for a treat. Ray is the burger master. He seasons them perfectly.”
As they headed toward the tables filled with food, Charley couldn’t help but feel grateful for the unexpected connection she was forming with Pierce, as well as the friendships she was building with the others. It seemed like her new life in California was heading in the right direction.
◆◆◆
When Pierce arrived at Ray and Jessica’s house, the last person he expected to see was Charley.
He had felt a rush of both excitement and nervousness seeing her standing in Ray and Jessica’s kitchen.
She had been on his mind ever since their brief encounter on the water.
He was intrigued by her beauty and intelligence.
He had regretted not giving her his number.
But the fates must’ve been in his favor because now here she was, right in front of him.
He watched her as she mingled with the others as she loaded her plate with food. He held back his laugh as she squeezed in two cookies and a cupcake. She obviously had a sweet tooth. He would need to remember that.
Her flowing blonde hair and bright smile lingered in his mind as he watched her walk back toward the table.
He wanted to get to know her more. He wanted to know what made her laugh, what kept her up at night.
Hell, he wanted to know everything about her.
For the first time in a long while, someone had caught his attention without even trying.
Over the years, he had constantly dodged women who threw themselves at him whenever he went out. That was probably why he avoided the bars when possible. His thoughts were interrupted by a low whistle behind him.
“Careful, Pierce,” Ray said, stepping up beside him with a plate of hot dogs in his hand, “if you stare any harder, she’s gonna need SPF 50 just from your eyeballs.”
Pierce huffed a laugh, shaking his head, but he didn’t deny it. He couldn’t. Not when every part of him was still keyed in on her.
Ray arched a brow. “I still can’t believe that’s the same woman you found stranded on the water. Hell of a meet-cute if you ask me.”
Pierce shot him a look, his eyebrows scrunching together. “What in the hell is a ‘meet-cute?’”
“It’s a term when two people meet for the first time, a cute, charming, funny, awkward, or memorable way, usually sparking the beginning of a romantic connection.”
“And you know this how?” Pierce asked, his eyebrows shooting upward.
Ray grinned as his cheeks turned a shade of pink. Then he shrugged. “Jessica reads these romance books, and she tells me this stuff.”
Pierce barked out a laugh as he shook his head, looking at Ray. “Don’t ever say that again. And it wasn’t a ‘meet-cute,’” Pierce said, still laughing.
“Uh-huh,” Ray smirked. “Call it whatever you want, but don’t be stupid about it.
A woman like Charley?” He jerked his chin toward her, who was now laughing at something Jessica said.
“She’s not staying single for long. She’s beautiful, smart, and obviously has a kind heart, as evidenced by her career.
She attracts people without even trying. ”
Pierce tried not to stare again, tried not to let Ray’s words dig too deep. But they did.
Ray nudged him with his elbow. “And before you even start going down that rabbit hole, she’s nothing like your ex. I can tell that Charley’s the real deal. She’s genuine. Don’t drag your feet and watch someone else figure that out before you do.”
Pierce swallowed, letting Ray’s words settle. He wasn’t wrong.
As Charley lifted her head and smiled at someone across the table, Pierce felt something shift in his chest. It was something he hadn’t felt in years.
“Yeah,” he murmured, more to himself than to Ray. “I hear you.”
Ray clapped him on the shoulder and wandered off, leaving Pierce standing there with only one thought circling through his mind—what the hell was his next move going to be?