CHAPTER ELEVEN
Charley stood in her new apartment, taking in the space that was quickly becoming her own.
The two-bedroom, two-bathroom corner unit was perfect.
It was cozy and filled with natural light from all the windows.
It also had two balconies, one off the living room and the other off the master bedroom, that gave her a gorgeous view of the beach across the street.
Her aunt and uncle bustled around the apartment, unpacking boxes and setting up furniture. Her aunt was tackling the kitchen, wiping down all the cabinets before loading them with Charley’s things. Her uncle was in the living room assembling a bookshelf.
Charley walked into her bedroom, grabbed a box of clothes on the way, and went to the walk-in closet.
The week had passed quickly and, thankfully, was uneventful, leaving her to fully concentrate on getting things done so she could have the weekend to relax a bit and move into her place. She was also anticipating Pierce’s call. He was supposed to reach out sometime after he got off work.
She set the box down and started putting the shorts and leggings away in the drawers. Once the box was empty, she broke it down and added it to the growing pile of cardboard sitting just outside the bedroom door. Maybe a trip to the dumpster was in order.
She walked over to the small island that separated the kitchen from the living room and leaned against the counter. She tried to keep from laughing but failed as she watched her aunt fight with a roll of drawer liner.
“You hush over there unless you want to come finish wrestling this demon paper,” Aunt Bea told Charley as she gave her a playful glare.
“Wrestling with demon paper isn’t my forte,” Charley joked back.
Her aunt laughed, then asked, “Are you all done in your room?”
Charley nodded. “Yep. I was just checking if you have any empty boxes. I’m going to make a dumpster run.”
“Nope. Everything I had is in the pile by your bedroom.”
“Well, while you finish your wrestling match, I’m going to run the boxes down to the dumpster.”
“Need any help, kiddo?” her uncle called out from behind her, peering up from the floor where he was wrestling a stubborn bookshelf panel into place as if it had personally offended him.
“No, I think I can handle it,” she said, walking over and picking up the stack of cardboard.
Charley shifted the flattened boxes in her arms, adjusting the sharp corners so they didn’t dig into her ribs. The stack was a little taller than it probably should’ve been, but she wasn’t about to make two trips to the dumpster.
“I’ll be back,” she called over her shoulder as she walked toward the door.
“Make it quick before your aunt decides I’m the next one wrestling with that demon paper,” her uncle joked.
“Keep it up, and you’ll be the next thing I pin down,” Aunt Bea called out, looking in his direction with a playful glare.
Uncle Glen chuckled. “Well, now I’m just curious what happens if I keep mouthing off on purpose.”
Charley gagged dramatically. “And I’m suddenly curious how fast I can leave this apartment.”
Before she closed the door behind her, she heard her aunt and uncle laughing.
Carrying the stack of boxes the best she could without dropping them, Charley headed down the three flights of stairs.
Midway down, she was chastising herself for not taking the elevator.
As soon as she hit the parking lot, the bright sun hit her face, blinding her.
She squinted against the glare and adjusted the boxes in her arms that were becoming a royal pain in the ass.
She quickly made her way across the pavement toward the dumpster.
Once she got to the dumpster, she flung the cardboard into the bin. She was proud of herself that all but one landed inside. After discarding the lone piece of cardboard, she started back across the parking lot.
She took her time enjoying the fresh air and warm sun.
As she walked, she thought of a few items she needed to pick up the next time she went to the store.
Her aunt and uncle had surprised her with a full load of groceries and other essentials she would need, like dish soap and laundry detergent.
They told her it was a “housewarming” gift. They were the best.
A sudden gust of wind blew in, but it wasn’t the breeze that caught her attention. It was that familiar feeling again. Her sixth sense was kicking in just like her dad had always told her. It was followed by a sharp prickle at the back of her neck as goosebumps raced over her arms.
She told herself it was ridiculous, considering it was broad daylight and not late at night like the other night. But that did little to settle her racing heart.
She picked up her pace, her flip-flops smacking faster against the pavement as her gaze swept the lot.
A mother was helping her two young kids into the backseat of a car a few spaces over, and an older woman shuffled along with a little white dog tugging at its leash.
Both normal and harmless. Nothing about either of them explained why her gut was screaming danger.
Her eyes moved to a cluster of trees at the far side of the lot, just behind the tall, black, iron fence that surrounded the complex. It was a perfect place to get a view of the entire front of the apartment building.
Something moved within the shadows beneath the trees, and her breath caught. For a second, she could’ve sworn someone was crouched down near the base of the trees. Her breath caught, but she didn’t slow down.
Just as she reached the building, the elevator doors opened, and a man holding a little girl’s hand stepped out.
Relief hit Charley hard and fast. Muttering a quick thanks to the guy holding the door, Charley slipped inside before the doors could close.
She wasn’t about to risk those three flights of stairs with her nerves already stretched thin.
As the elevator rose, she blew out a shaky breath and leaned back against the wall, frustrated with herself.
Was she really this on edge? Or had someone actually been hiding in the trees watching her?
The doors opened on her floor, and she stepped out, heading down the hallway toward her unit. Halfway there, her phone pinged.
She pulled her cell phone from the side pocket of her leggings and glanced at the screen. The second she saw Pierce’s name, a warm feeling replaced the chill that had gripped her just moments ago.
Pierce: Hey, Charley. Are you free for coffee tomorrow morning around 10?
Charley’s lips curved into a smile before she could stop them. A flutter of warmth danced in her chest, followed by a small eye-roll at herself. Jesus, one message from him and her heart was already trying to do cartwheels.
Charley: Hi! That works for me. I’ll let you choose the place.
Pierce: Beachside Cafe
She started typing a reply as she walked the rest of the way to her apartment.
Charley: Sounds good. I’m looking forward to it.
Pierce: Me too.
Charley was still grinning when she entered her apartment and set her phone down on the small table next to the front door.
“Now, I would love to know what’s got you smiling like that?”
When she turned toward the sound of the voice, she saw her aunt and uncle sitting at the island, each with a soda in front of them.
Charley laughed, feeling a bit self-conscious. “It’s nothing, really,” she started, but her aunt gave her a knowing look.
“Come on, spill it,” her aunt insisted with a playful grin. “Who put that smile on your face?”
Sighing, Charley decided to share. “Okay, fine. Remember the guys I told you about who helped me when I was out on Mr. Quick’s boat?
Her aunt and uncle both nodded, but it was her uncle who spoke up. “The SEALs?”
“Yes. Well, one of the guys, Pierce, we sort of ran into each other again at that cookout I went to last weekend. We ended up talking and exchanging numbers. He just asked me to meet him for coffee tomorrow.”
Her uncle set his can of soda down and looked at her with a curious expression. “What’s he like?”
“He’s…well, he’s really nice and down-to-earth,” Charley said, her cheeks flushing a bit.
Her aunt’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Oh, that’s wonderful! It’s great to see you interested in someone.”
Her uncle nodded in agreement but gave her a cautious look. “Just be careful, Charley. Those guys can be intense. Make sure he’s the right kind of person for you.”
Charley appreciated their concern and nodded. “I will. It’s just coffee, and I’m taking things slow. But he seems genuine, and I want to give it a chance.”
Her aunt walked over and hugged her. “We’re happy for you, sweetheart. Just trust your instincts and take things one step at a time.”
Charley smiled. “I will.”
Her aunt then whispered in her ear. “Is he cute?”
Charley snorted a laugh as she looked up at her aunt. “Very handsome.”
Her aunt winked and smiled, which made Charley laugh again.
“All right, you two, let’s finish up here and then how about we go down to that Mexican restaurant down the street for dinner.”
“Are you talking about La Fiesta?” Charley asked, hoping that was the one he meant.
Her uncle smirked. “Of course.”
Charley smiled. She loved that place. It had been around forever and was one of her favorite restaurants in town.
For the rest of the evening, Charley’s smile never left her face as her mind kept drifting to her coffee date the next day with Pierce.
◆◆◆
Pierce sat at his desk, absentmindedly tapping his pen against the stack of paperwork in front of him.
The O-Course with the BUD/s recruits had been grueling as always, but he thrived on the challenge.
Still, his mind kept drifting back to something, or rather, someone far more pleasant than obstacle courses and hot-headed men thinking they are better than everyone.
Charley was a constant thought in his mind. Just thinking about his upcoming coffee date with her brought a smile to his face. He felt an excitement he hadn’t experienced in years. Not since before his ex-wife, Brittany.
Just mentally saying that woman’s name caused his smile to fade. His ex-wife had been a master of manipulation, a woman who could lie through her teeth with a sweet smile on her face.
The memory of her betrayal still stung, even though it had been years since their divorce. She’d cheated on him, lied to him, and when she claimed she was pregnant with his child, only for the paternity test to prove otherwise, that had been the final nail in the coffin.
“Damn it,” Pierce muttered under his breath, rubbing his temples as he tried to shake off the dark thoughts.
Just then, the door to his office swung open, and Ray strolled in. There was a mischievous glint in his eye as he leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.
“What’s with the sour puss face?” He asked, his eyebrows raised.
Pierce chuckled.
“While I was thinking about Charley, I made the mistake of letting my mind wander to Brittany and the shit she put me through.”
At the mention of Brittany, Ray’s smile faded and was replaced by a frown. “Man, don’t let that woman ruin your good mood. She’s not worth it.”
Even though Pierce and Ray weren’t on the same team during that time, Pierce was still good friends with him, and he knew about the shit that Brittany put him through and how it had messed with his head.
“Trust me, I know,” Pierce replied, his tone darkening. “Betrayal is something I can’t forgive. Especially after what she pulled.”
Ray nodded, his expression somber. “I remember. None of us could stand her after that. But hey, that’s all in the past now. You’ve got Charley in your life. I know Jessica likes her a lot and has sort of taken her under her wing since Charley doesn’t really have any friends around here.”
Pierce’s mood lifted at the mention of Charley again. “Yeah, she’s great. She and I are actually meeting tomorrow morning for coffee. It’s been a while since I’ve felt like this. You know, put myself out there.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” Ray’s grin returned, and he clapped Pierce on the shoulder. “Speaking of Charley, Jessica is planning to invite her over for dinner on Friday. You should come too. She’s making her famous tamales. The ones you love.”
Pierce raised an eyebrow, considering the offer. Ray wasn’t lying. Jessica made the most delicious tamales. “You’re sure Jessica’s cool with that? I don’t want to overstep my boundaries.”
“Are you kidding? She’s already said yes. What do you say?”
Pierce quirked one of his eyebrows. Were Ray and Jessica trying to play matchmakers?
Pierce rubbed his chin as he thought it over for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, I’m in. But only if coffee goes well tomorrow.”
“Awesome,” Ray said, giving him a thumbs up. “I’ll let Jess know. And hey, no more thinking about Brittany, alright? You’ve got better things ahead of you.”
“Yeah, I know,” Pierce agreed, a grin spreading across his face again. “Thanks, Ray. Tell Jessica, I said thank you as well.”
Ray grinned. “Hell, I think Jessica is ready to start planning yours and Charley’s wedding.”
Pierce choked on the water he had just taken a sip of.
“What the fuck? We haven’t even been on a date yet,” Pierce exclaimed, a look of shock crossing his face.
Ray laughed. “Hey, man. You know how these women can be.”
Pierce shook his head, a smirk tugging his lips. He wanted to tell Ray that he was like the pot calling the kettle black. Ray himself had been trending into the matchmaker field, pushing Pierce and Charley together. But he decided to keep that to himself.
“Anyway, I’ll catch ya later. I need to go deal with those two assholes who put their crew in danger during that boat exercise yesterday.”
As Ray left the office, Pierce leaned back in his chair. The memory of Brittany might still sting, but it was clear that his future had a lot more promise, and he was ready to embrace it.