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 intwo 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.”
