Charley blinked hard, but a few tears slipped free anyway. She laughed weakly. “Well. This is me officially ruining dinner with drama.”
Jessica scoffed. “Please. If you weren’t crying, I would think something was wrong with you.”
They were both laughing now, tears and all, when the guys walked in from the garage and stopped short.
Ray’s eyes darted between them. “Why are you both crying?”
Pierce frowned. “Is everything okay?”
That did it. Charley laughed harder; maybe it was wine. She wiped her face. “We’re fine. Promise.”
Jessica waved them off. “Girl talk. You’re not invited.”
“That was terrifying,” Ray muttered, which only made the women laugh more.
Charley felt Pierce’s gaze on her. She could see the concern in his expression. She gave him a small smile, letting him know that she was okay.
“Ready to head out?” he asked.
She nodded. “Yeah.”
As they said their goodbyes, Jessica pulled Charley in for a hug. “Chin up and open that heart,” she whispered.
Charley whispered back, “I’ll try my best.”
With a final wave, Charley and Pierce turned and walked down the driveway.
Pierce opened the Jeep door for her, and as she climbed in, Charley felt lighter than she had in a long time. Maybe healing didn’t mean forgetting. Maybe it meant choosing to keep living anyway.
???
Jessica and Ray stood at the window, watching the Jeep pull away.
“They seem good together,” Ray said quietly.
Jessica nodded. “They do.”
Ray glanced at her. “You sure everything was okay in there? Walking into two women crying and laughing at the same time took ten years off my life.”
Jessica laughed. “You’re so dramatic.”
“I’m protective,” he corrected. “And I hate when you cry.”
She leaned into him. “I was crying for her. She’s been through a lot.”
Ray sighed. “Military families get handed heartbreak in different ways.”
Jessica nodded. “I just hope maybe they can help mend each other.”
“Me too.” He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “Are the twins having a sleepover at their friend’s house?”
Jessica looked up, and she immediately recognized that look. Ray was horny. Before she could blink, Ray scooped her up into his arms with ease.
“What are you doing?” She questioned, though she was trying not to laugh.
“Well, since we have the house to ourselves, we might as well enjoy it. Plus, you’ve triggered my protective alpha instincts. Now it’s your turn to suffer in the best way possible.”
Jessica burst out laughing, her arms looping around his neck. “Have you been reading my romance novels again?”
