CHAPTER EIGHT
Hours later, Charley sat in a circle of lawn chairs around the fire pit.
The air had cooled now that the sun had slipped below the horizon, leaving the backyard washed in soft light from the string lights draped along the fence and around the patio.
Only a handful of couples remained, their voices blending with the crackle of the bonfire.
Charley hugged her arms lightly around herself, not from the chilled air, but from the warm satisfaction still humming beneath her skin. She’d had more fun today than she’d expected.
She was glad she’d accepted Jessica’s invitation.
Everyone she had met had been kind, easygoing, and welcoming in a way that reminded her why she’d fallen in love with the community surrounding Alex’s foundation in the first place.
These were people who understood service, sacrifice, and the strange blend of humor and pain that came with military life.
Sitting with them, laughing at their stories, and learning their quirks, she could actually see herself becoming friends with them, which was something she didn’t have many of.
Yes, she knew a lot of people, but she wouldn’t consider them all friends.
Of course, her thoughts couldn’t help drifting to Pierce.
To her surprise, he had stayed pretty much by her side all day.
Not that she was complaining, because she had enjoyed his company.
He was grounded, funny in a quiet way, and had a gentleness about him that didn’t match the initial impression he gave off.
Most people wouldn’t associate the word gentle with a Navy SEAL, but she had seen it when he was playing with a few of the kids, especially when he was holding his buddy's four-month-old baby. Seeing the tiny pink bundle of joy sleeping soundly against Pierce’s chest had her ovaries screaming.
There was no doubt that she was attracted to him. She’d felt it in every glance he threw her way, and every smile that seemed meant only for her. But there was still a small part of her that was hesitant to let that shield down around her heart, especially since he was still active duty.
She was drawn out of her thoughts as Pierce leaned slightly toward her, enough for his voice to find her ear without anyone else catching it.
“Did you have fun today?” he murmured.
Charley turned her head and met his brown eyes. The fire’s glow made them look even warmer. “I did,” she said, her voice softer than she meant it to be. “More than I thought I would.”
He nodded as his lips curved into that half-smile of his. “I’m glad you came.”
She felt that flutter deep in her stomach again. “I’m glad too.”
For a moment, the rest of the world faded.
They just looked at each other, the fire crackling somewhere in the background.
His gaze held hers like he was trying to read something in her expression, and the butterflies in her stomach turned into a full swarm.
She couldn’t remember the last time she had reacted to someone like this. Maybe never.
“There’s something I wanted to ask you,” Pierce said, his voice dipping as if the words carried weight. He looked almost nervous.
Charley’s breath caught as she tilted her head slightly. “What’s that?” she asked.
But before he could say another word, Jessica’s voice cut across the yard.
“Charley, would you mind helping me bring some of this stuff inside?”
Charley blinked, pulled out of the moment like cold water had been tossed on her. She looked toward Jessica. “Yeah, of course,”
Before she got up, she glanced at Pierce, offering him a small apologetic smile.
“Go on,” he told her as that gentle smile of his returned. “We’ll talk later.”
As she stood and walked toward the house, she couldn’t help replaying the way he’d looked at her. The intensity behind his eyes carried something deep. It had nearly undone her, stirring up those unfamiliar feelings again.
She found herself smiling, unable to help it. Meeting Pierce was like a gift she didn’t know that she needed. It was also a reminder that maybe not everything here was tied to loss or memory, and that new beginnings were still possible.
◆◆◆
Charley followed Jessica inside, each of them carrying an armful of platters and bowls. The house was quieter now that most of the guests had left.
“Thank you again for inviting me,” Charley said as they set everything on the counter. “I had a great time. And everyone was so nice.”
Jessica shot her a knowing grin over her shoulder. “Everyone, huh? Does that include Pierce?”
Charley froze mid-reach for a dish towel, her cheeks warming instantly. “Jessica,” she said, trying and failing to sound neutral.
“What?” Jessica laughed, totally unbothered. “I’m just asking a question. I mean, the man barely left your side today.”
Charley shook her head, but she couldn’t stop the smile tugging at her mouth. Yes, she had enjoyed spending time with him. More than she wanted to admit out loud. “He seems nice,” she said finally, choosing the safest answer even though her stomach fluttered just saying it.
Jessica hummed like she wasn’t the least bit fooled.
Charley glanced toward the sliding glass doors in the direction where Pierce stood on the patio, talking to Ray. As if sensing her gaze, he looked up. Their eyes met, and he gave her a warm smile and winked. She smiled back, feeling that spark ignite.
As if knowing they had an audience, she quickly turned back toward Jessica, who stood there as her grin grew wider. Of course, she had seen their interaction.
“Wow,” Jessica teased. “Okay, I think he finds you nice as well.”
Charley pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh. “Stop.”
“I’m just saying,” Jessica murmured as she rinsed a serving bowl, “Pierce is a good guy. I’ve known him for years. He even has a sweet side, though he’d probably deny it.”
“I noticed that,” Charley replied, as the vision of him holding that baby popped into her head.
The two of them fell into an easy rhythm as they cleaned up, washing and drying dishes and packing leftovers into containers.
Jessica chatted about work, about her twin girls, and about how Ray pretended he didn’t like scented candles, but she caught him lighting them all the time.
Charley found herself laughing more than she had in months.
A few minutes later, Ray and Pierce stepped inside. Ray clapped his hands together. “Alright, ladies. Everyone’s taken off.”
Jessica turned toward her husband and smiled. “Everything in here is all cleaned up.” She glanced at Charley. “Thanks for helping out.”
Charley wiped her hands on a towel, a small smile gracing her lips. “No problem. I should probably head out. It’s getting late.”
“I’m heading out as well,” Pierce said almost immediately. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
Jessica shot Charley a quick look and gave her a subtle wink. Charley tried not to blush again.
As they said their goodbyes, Jessica pulled Charley into a hug. “We need to schedule a lunch,” she insisted.
“I’d love that,” Charley said.
She stepped outside with Pierce falling into stride beside her. They were halfway to her car when she lost her footing on the loose gravel.
“Oh, shit!” she blurted out as she stumbled forward.
Thankfully, Pierce had great reflexes and grabbed her arm, steadying her before she face-planted into the driveway.
“Oh my God,” she blurted, mortified. “I swear I usually know how to walk. It’s a skill I’ve mastered over the years.”
Pierce chuckled, keeping a light hand on her elbow until she was stable. “Don’t worry. Happens all the time.”
She lifted a brow. “To you?”
“Absolutely not,” he said without missing a beat. “I’m incredibly coordinated. It’s almost annoying.”
Charley snorted an unladylike laugh, and Pierce grinned, looking down at her.
Walking the rest of the way beside him, Charley wasn’t sure if the flutter in her chest was from the boost of adrenaline from almost falling or the fact that Pierce’s hand was now pressed against her lower back.
They walked the rest of the way in comfortable silence. The sound of their footsteps crunching on the gravel path was the only noise. When they reached her car, Pierce turned toward her.
“So,” he began, rubbing the back of his neck. “I was wondering if you’d be interested in grabbing coffee with me sometime. You know, if you’re not too busy with getting the foundation up and running.”
Charley’s heart skipped a beat, a smile spreading across her face. “I’d love that,” she replied, trying to keep her voice steady despite the excitement bubbling up inside her. “Coffee sounds great. How about we exchange numbers?”
Pierce’s face lit up with a warm smile as they exchanged phone numbers.
“Well,” Pierce said, “I guess I should let you get going. It’s been a long day, and you probably need some rest considering you’ve got a big week ahead of you.”
Charley nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. “Yeah, it has been a long day. But a good one. I’m really glad I came.”
“Me too,” Pierce said, his eyes meeting hers with a sincerity that made her heart race. “I’m looking forward to that coffee.”
“Same here,” Charley said, her smile widening. “Thanks for walking me to my car.”
“Anytime,” Pierce said, stepping back and giving her a friendly wave. “Drive safe, Charley. I’ll talk to you soon.”
Charley watched him walk towards an older-style Jeep Wrangler.
As she got into her car and started the engine, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement for what was to come. She was definitely looking forward to that coffee date.