“This whole thing is just bizarre,” she said.
He nodded. “Yeah. It is.”
Pierce shifted slightly and lifted his hand, brushing his knuckles against hers before lacing his fingers with hers.
Charley squeezed once, then looked up at him. “Thank you for talking with Ace,” she said softly. “Alex texted me.”
He grinned. “Of course.”
“In her text, she said she would be on the first flight out here if I needed her,” Charley murmured, a small smile tugging at her mouth. “Which is very Alex.”
Pierce huffed quietly. “She threatened me, too.”
Charley blinked in surprise. “She did?”
“Mm-hmm.” Pierce’s amused eyes held hers. “She told me if I didn’t take care of you that she would come out here and make me regret my entire existence.”
Charley let out a real laugh.
Pierce’s gaze softened. “Your aunt and uncle are here, by the way.”
Charley looked surprised. “They’re here, now?” She hadn’t even called them yet.
Pierce smiled. “Yeah. Jessica called them.”
Charley smiled. “I’ll have to thank her for doing that. My aunt and uncle worry about me like it’s a full-time job.”
Pierce’s mouth curved. “Good. Because I was starting to think I was the only one.”
Charley gave him a look. “Oh, you’re not.” She smiled. “So, how did introductions go between you and them?” she asked.
Pierce chuckled. “I think they went okay. I mean, I barely got two words out, and your aunt was already hugging me.”
Charley laughed. “My aunt hugs everyone. But I’m sure they both like you,” Charley told him.
Pierce lifted a brow. “You sure? Because your uncle has the ‘I will bury you in the backyard’ face.”
Charley laughed again, then sobered. “He would never do that. Not unless you hurt me.”
Pierce held her gaze. “Then I’m fine.”
Something warm and steady settled in her chest at his words.
Pierce tilted his head toward the door. “Also… your aunt brought a giant pot of tomato soup. And she and Jessica are making grilled cheese.”
Charley’s stomach growled right on cue, loud enough that she froze.
Pierce’s eyes flicked down to her midsection, amused. “Case in point.”
Charley’s cheeks heated. “Okay, rude. Apparently, my body has decided food is the priority now. I’m starving,” she admitted.
Pierce stood and offered his hand to help her up. Charley took it, letting him pull her to her feet. They started toward the door, but Charley stopped him with a gentle tug. It was like deja vu.
Pierce turned back, surprised, and Charley stepped into him, wrapping her arms around his middle and pressing her cheek against his chest. “Thank you,” she whispered again, voice softer this time. “For all of it. For being exactly where I needed you today.”
Pierce’s arms came around her immediately, holding her close. His chin rested lightly on the top of her head. “I’ll always be here for you,” he murmured.
Charley leaned back just enough to look up at him, her heart full and aching at the same time. She rose on her toes and kissed him. A small and sweet kiss.
