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 youniceas 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.
