They must have been loud, because right at that moment, all three men turned toward the kitchen window at the exact same time, as if they knew the women were watching them.
Charley’s laughter died in her throat.
Jessica gasped. “Oh no.”
Alyvia whispered, “We’ve been caught.”
They ducked simultaneously, like grown women could actually disappear by dropping below a windowsill. Then they all started laughing again, the kind of silent, helpless laughter that made Charley’s stomach hurt. Oh God, she needed this.
Jessica wheezed, “Why am I hiding from my husband?”
Charley whispered, “I don’t know why I’m hiding. I mean, my boyfriend is out there.”
Jessica’s eyes slid to Alyvia. Charley’s did too.
Alyvia straightened slowly, cheeks flaming. “No,” she said quickly. “Nope. I am not interested. I don’t date.”
Jessica’s expression was innocent in a way that fooled no one. “Mm-hmm.”
“Hey, just because I don’t date, doesn’t mean that I can appreciate a good male specimen when I see one,” Alyvia tried arguing her point, though she was failing because her bright red cheeks clearly gave her away.
Charley didn’t press because Alyvia looked like she might spontaneously combust. But Charley filed it away anyway.Because this was the first time that Seth had snagged Alyvia’s attention.
A few minutes later, the back door opened, and the men came inside.
Ray was grinning. Seth looked mildly amused in that quiet way of his. Pierce’s eyes found Charley immediately, like she was his compass.
He crossed the kitchen in three steps and kissed her good morning, soft and warm, his hands bracketing her waist like he needed to touch her to confirm she was real.
Charley melted a little. “Hi,” she murmured against his mouth.
Pierce pulled back just enough to look at her face. “How are you feeling? Did you sleep okay?”
“I feel a lot better,” she admitted, and it was true. “And I slept really well.”
Pierce’s mouth curved. “Yeah?”
Charley glanced sideways at Jessica and Alyvia, who were both trying not to look like they were listening. “Maybe because of the company I had.”
Pierce’s grin turned slow and dangerous. He leaned closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. “You’re welcome in my bed anytime, sweetheart.”
Heat raced up Charley’s neck so fast she almost dropped her pastry. She shot him a look. “Pierce.”
He chuckled, clearly pleased with himself.
Seth, meanwhile, reached for the pastry box. He picked up an apple pastry, took one bite, and his eyes closed briefly as if he’d been transported. “These are good.”
Charley’s brain yanked itself out of lustful orbit. “Alyvia brought them,” she announced.
Seth attempted a smile in Alyvia’s direction. “Thank you.”
Alyvia tucked her hair behind her ear, cheeks still faintly pink. “You’re welcome.”
There was a tiny pause as if something was unspoken between those two. Charley didn’t miss it, and neither did Jessica, judging by the way her mouth twitched like she was about to say something inappropriate.
Seth took another bite and, in a tone that sounded like he was trying very hard to be casual, said, “Good choice.”
Alyvia blinked. “The… pastry?”
