CHAPTER TWELVE
Charley stepped out of the elevator into the morning sunshine, pausing for a second to breathe in the fresh air.
It was a perfect day. The low seventy-degree temperature was welcomed, along with the light breeze rolling from the coast. And since the coffee shop was only a few blocks away, she decided to walk and take in the fresh air.
She had kept her outfit simple on purpose. Dark gray capri sweatpants, a white long-sleeved T-shirt, and her white sneakers. It was casual, comfortable, and appropriate for a casual coffee date. She had left her hair down, letting the blonde waves fall naturally over her shoulders.
The thought of seeing Pierce sent a rush of excitement through her, warm and undeniable, even as a flutter of nerves followed close behind.
She was halfway down the block when she felt that subtle prickle at the back of her neck. The same one she had felt earlier in the week when leaving work, and the same one she experienced yesterday while hauling the broken-down boxes to the dumpster behind her building.
Without slowing her stride, Charley slipped on her silver aviator sunglasses, grateful for the way they hid her eyes as she casually scanned her surroundings, careful not to make it obvious. But there were too many people out enjoying the day to pinpoint anyone who stood out as suspicious.
Her phone buzzed in her hand, pulling her attention away from the unease that lingered. She glanced down and saw a message from Jessica.
Jessica: Any chance you’re free for dinner next Friday? I’m making tamales.
Charley smiled at the screen and typed back.
Charley: Tamales? Say no more.
The reply came almost immediately.
Jessica: Good. I figured it’d be nice to actually talk without all the chaos this time. The cookout was fun, but between kids, dogs, and everyone else, I feel like we only got about three sentences in.
Charley laughed softly.
Charley: I’d love that. I really enjoyed meeting everyone, but a calmer night sounds perfect.
Jessica: Exactly. No crowds. No interruptions. Just food and real conversation.
Charley: Count me in.
Jessica: Perfect. Friday night it is. And fair warning—once you eat my tamales, you’re officially family.
Charley’s smile lingered long after she set the phone down. She thought about Jessica’s words, “family.” Besides her aunt and uncle, Alex, Ace, Irish, Bailey, and Sienna were the only others she really felt close enough to consider family.
Maybe that was the real gift of this new chapter of her life. She was finding pieces of family in places she hadn’t expected, and realizing her circle didn’t have to stay small forever.
She slipped her phone back into her purse just as the coffee shop came into view.
As soon as Charley stepped inside, she was met with the scent of roasted beans and something sweet, almost making her mouth water.
She took in the cozy coffee shop. It was like a little sanctuary of warm lights and rich aroma of freshly ground beans.
Soft soothing music added to its inviting atmosphere.
She quickly scanned the room, and it didn’t take long to spot Pierce. He was seated at a small table in the back with one arm draped casually over the chair beside him, and a coffee already in hand.
Of course, he sat with his back to the wall and near the exit. She recognized the habit. Typical, she thought to herself.
The sight of him sent a rush of warmth through her chest. The unease she’d carried with her on the walk faded, replaced by something steadier and excitement.
Her smile came easily as she headed toward him, the feeling settling deep in her bones.
As she approached, Pierce smiled and stood up, greeting her with a brief hug and a sweet kiss on the cheek. It was a small gesture, and she was sure that her cheeks were bright red.
“Hey, you,” he said with a grin, pulling the chair across from him out for her.
“Hey, yourself,” she replied, settling into the chair and placing her bag to the side of the table.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I already ordered you a French vanilla cappuccino with two extra sugars.”
Charley’s jaw dropped open. “How did you know?”
Her shocked expression must have really shown because he chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’m not a creepy stalker. I heard you mention it at the cookout when you were talking with everyone.”
Of course, he did, because SEALs always knew everything going on around them. At least that was what she told herself. His thoughtfulness warmed Charley’s heart, just like the steaming cup of cappuccino that sat in front of her.
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“Of course,” he said and winked. “Figured I’d save us the trouble of waiting in line. Plus, it gives me more time with you to myself,” Pierce said with a chuckle, taking his seat across from Charley.
Charley laughed as she picked up the cup and took a sip. “This is so good.”
They spent the next few minutes catching up. Pierce asked her about work, and Charley filled him in on what was happening at the foundation.
“So, unless something catastrophic occurs, we open in a week,” she said, excitement creeping into her voice.
“That’s awesome,” Pierce said. “Bet you’re ready to open the doors.”
“You have no idea,” Charley replied. “How about you? How are things with you?”
Pierce leaned back, chuckling as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I think dealing with recruits is sometimes worse than facing the enemy. But I love it. Training the next group of SEALs is rewarding. Knowing those guys will go on to defend the country, it makes all the headaches worth it.”
Charley smiled, sipping her cappuccino. “Do you miss the action? Being deployed?”
Pierce looked thoughtful for a moment. “I have mixed feelings about it, honestly. There’s a part of me that misses the adrenaline and the purpose of a mission.
But the other part of me likes the stability of being here, training others, and…
” he grinned at Charley. “Having the opportunity to have moments like this.”
Charley grinned, her eyes warm and playful. “Moments like sitting in a coffee shop with me?”
“Exactly,” Pierce said, his gaze holding hers a second longer before they both laughed.
◆◆◆
At first, Pierce had been a little nervous about his coffee date with Charley.
He wasn’t sure how it would go, and he had been overthinking it all morning.
And it didn’t help that Ray had been blowing up his phone all morning trying to give him pointers.
It was like Ray thought Pierce had never been on a date before.
However, it had been a while. But still.
Sitting across from Charley, watching her smile, he felt comfortable. She had this way about her. She was bright, funny, and beautiful. She could be serious when she needed to be, but there was this playful energy that made her even more attractive.
“Tell me about your family,” Pierce asked casually. But as soon as he saw Charley’s smile fade, he wanted to kick himself in the ass as he remembered the day they had met out on the water, she had mentioned she was out there spreading her dad and brother’s ashes.
Feeling like a total jackass, he set his coffee down and, without any hesitation, reached across the table and covered her hand with his.
“Charley, I’m so sorry. I just remembered you mentioning why you were on the water that day we met.”
As if knowing what he was trying to convey, her smile returned, though it was small. She patted his hand.
“It’s okay. As far as family goes, it’s just my aunt and uncle now,” she said, taking a sip of her drink. “They’re great, always supportive. Not to mention they are happy that I’m back on the West Coast.”
Pierce nodded, though it didn’t get past him, that she chose not to speak about her dad or brother, not to mention she never said anything about her mom. He didn’t push it, though. Maybe one day, when she felt ready, she’d tell him. For now, he let it go, keeping the conversation light.
Before he realized it, nearly two hours had slipped by, the conversation effortless in a way he hadn’t experienced in years.
He’d enjoyed every minute—learning her laugh, the way her eyes lit when she talked about the foundation, the quiet strength beneath her easy smile.
Talking to Charley didn’t feel like work or a distraction.
It felt easy, grounding, and definitely something he already didn’t want to end.
Pierce glanced at his watch and wanted to curse. His disappointed look must’ve shown.
“Something wrong?” Charley asked.
“I hate to end this, but I’ve got to head back to the base soon.”
Charley smiled and sighed dramatically. “And I’ve got a date with a screwdriver and a TV console that needs to be put together. Lucky me.”
Pierce laughed. Before they stood to leave, Pierce decided to bring up dinner next Friday at Ray and Jessica’s. “By the way, Ray invited me over to his place for dinner on Friday night. He mentioned that Jessica was going to reach out to you to extend an invite.”
Charley laughed. “She did. I actually got her text while I was on my way here. I guess they’re playing matchmaker.”
Pierce chuckled, shaking his head. “Seems like it. But I’m not complaining.”
She gave him a teasing look. “Me neither. They’re not very subtle, are they?”
“Nope,” Pierce said, laughing along with her. “But hey, I like where this is going.”
Charley’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “How about we ride together? We don’t live far from each other, and Ray and Jessica’s place is a bit of a drive.”
Pierce smiled. “I’d like that. I can pick you up, if you’d like.”
Charley smiled. “Sure. That sounds good.”
As they walked out of the coffee shop toward Pierce’s Jeep, he felt a contentment he hadn’t felt in a long time. He told her how much he’d enjoyed their time together and that he couldn’t wait for Friday.
“Ugh, Friday feels like a lifetime away,” Charley joked. “It’s only Sunday.”
“Yeah, it’s going to be a long week,” Pierce admitted.
“Well, if you get bored and have some free time, feel free to give me a call,” she told him.
He smiled as he leaned against his vehicle. “I just might take you up on that. Are you sure you’re good walking home? I can drop you off if you’d like.”
Charley smiled. “Thank you for the offer, but I’m good. The fresh air will do me some good. Plus, there is a little shop I saw on the way here that I wanted to pop into.”
Before he could respond, Charley stepped closer, rose onto her tiptoes, and brushed a soft kiss against his cheek. Pierce went still, the warmth of it hitting harder than he expected, his thoughts scattering as he watched her smile. He thought it was adorable how her cheeks flushed afterward.
“You’re cute when you blush,” Pierce teased, earning him a playful shove.
“Well, thank you again for the coffee and the company. I enjoyed it,” she told him.
“You’re welcome, and I enjoyed the company as well,” he told her, then leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Can’t let you be the only one giving out kisses,” he teased and winked.
Charley grinned, her blush deepening. “See you Friday, Pierce. I’ll text you my address.”
“Can’t wait,” he replied as he opened the door to his Jeep and hopped in.
He waited until she made it safely across the street before he pulled out of the parking spot. She smiled and gave him a little wave as he drove past her, which he returned and honked his horn. He laughed, watching her in the rearview mirror as she shook her head, laughing.
As he drove toward the base, he couldn’t stop smiling.
He was hooked already. Fuck! How was he going to make it all week until he saw her again?