Seth’s mouth twitched. “Yeah.”
Charley bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. Poor Alyvia.
Pierce poured coffee into a mug and handed it to Charley without asking, like he already knew. The normalcy of it hit her in a strange, tender way. She wrapped her fingers around the warm ceramic and let it settle her.
He then leaned his hip against the counter. “I called the hospital,” he said, and just like that, the mood shifted, and Charley felt her stomach clench.
“And?”
Pierce’s expression softened as he looked at her. “It’s good news. The doctors were surprised, considering the shape he was in yesterday. He’s still critical, and they’re being careful, but they were encouraged by how he made it through the night. Many of his levels are up.”
Critical still wasn’t ideal. But after everything Calvin had survived in the last twenty-four hours, it felt like the first real breath of hope she’d had since the shooting.
“Can I see him yet?”
Pierce smiled. “The doctors said you could.” He let that sit just long enough to make her pulse jump before adding, “But only for thirty minutes.”
Relief burst through her so fast she didn’t even try to play it cool. Charley launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around him without caring that he was all sweaty. “Thank you!”
A laugh rumbled out of him as he caught her easily, his hands settling at her waist. She pulled back just enough to kiss him, quick and grateful and full of all the relief she couldn’t put into words.
When she drew back, Pierce’s grin turned downright smug. “Damn, sweetheart. If that’s how you reward good news, I may start making stuff up just to get kissed again.”
Charley laughed.
“Well, on that note,” Jessica said. “Ray and I are going to head out. We have to pick the girls up from their friend's house.”
Charley walked over and hugged Jessica. “Thank you for everything,” she whispered.
“Of course,” Jessica replied. “Remember, we’re family now.”
Charley smiled and hugged Ray, thanking him too. He also promised to call with any updates on the case.
Alyvia checked her watch and picked up her purse. “I have to hit the grocery store,” she said. “And I should probably stop by the found to make sure everything is in order.” She looked at Charley. “If you need me, just call, okay.”
Charley squeezed her hand and then hugged her. “Thank you.”
As Alyvia walked toward the door, Charley noticed Seth.
He was standing near the hallway, leaning against the wall like he’d just happened to be there. But his eyes followed Alyvia as she moved, and the look on his face wasn’t blank or bored.
Alyvia glanced back once, as if she felt it, then quickly looked away and left with a hurried, “Bye!”
The door clicked shut.
Seth stood there for a beat longer, then cleared his throat like he’d been caught doing something he didn’t have permission to do.
“I’m gonna shower,” he muttered, then disappeared down the hall toward his room.
Charley watched him go, then turned slowly toward Pierce.
Pierce was already watching her, brows lifted like he could see the question forming in her head. “Don’t,” he warned, amused.
Charley ignored him. “So,” she said casually, “what type of guy is Seth?”
Pierce’s eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“Is he single?” Charley added, leaning into it.
