Real Men Knit(28)

When he was about to argue further, being nervous about the amount of stock they had in these more expensive yarns, she shook him off, anticipating what he was going to say before he said it. “I know what you’re about to say, and yes, cheaper yarns can theoretically bring in more sales volume, but we can’t compromise there. If folks want that, there are the bigger discount stores to serve them. People do, and hopefully new customers will, come to us for the specialty hands-on experience.”

Jesse coughed as his body unexpectedly heated. Kerry should not be using expressions like “hands-on.” It made his fingertips itch and his throat dry.

She continued. “There’s just no way small shops like this could ever beat the big craft stores when it comes to discount yarns. So Mama Joy made a concerted effort to put most of the inventory in higher-quality specialty yarns from small, mostly independent contractors.”

“Hence the high bills without a lot of revenue,” he said.

“Hence the satisfied customer squealing over the idea of making a one-of-a-kind piece with a specialty yarn,” she shot back.

“I totally get that,” he said. “But I can’t help but think we could probably get more people in the door if we had a lower-cost selection.”

Kerry’s full lips tightened a bit as she grimaced. “I understand that cost for the crafter is always an issue, which is why we have to give them a reason behind each of the yarns we sell.”

“Yeah, but we also have to get them in the door. We need to find a way to get in plenty more of those squealing customers if this business will end up staying afloat. With just a quick look over the books and listening to Mr. Sunshine Damian, if we keep operating the way things have been going, we’ll end up in the red every month.” He sighed and hated the defeatist sound of it. “But he’s right. There’s no way I’ll be able to lobby to keep the place open.” Jesse looked at the beautiful specialty yarns and knew their worth both monetarily and emotionally to those who would eventually create with them. “Not like this. They will end up wanting to sell for sure.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Kerry said, though the look in her eyes let him know that she was just as worried as he was. But then her look suddenly changed, her eyes taking on a surprising depth and sensuality that wasn’t there a moment before. Finally she broke her gaze and looked around the shop, getting up and pacing. “The old customers will be happy that we’re still here to serve the community even though Mama Joy is gone.”

She gave him a saucy grin and a look that suddenly made him feel more naked fully clothed than he had the morning before. “I have a feeling once the word gets out that it’s you and your brothers who are keeping the shop open and taking over the business, well, you won’t have that much trouble getting in those squealing customers.”

Jesse raised his brow. “Why do I get the feeling that we’re not talking pricing and inventory, but now something entirely different?”

“Not entirely—let’s just say my mind has flipped to branding. And I’m not talking a full revamp or anything too far from the shop’s foundations and roots.”

Jesse gave her a hard look. “So what are you talking about?”

She raised a brow at him and grinned. “You know how Mama Joy would always go on about using what you’ve got to get what you need? Well, you guys have got needs. So it’s time to use what you’ve got.”

Jesse suddenly covered his chest with his hands and gasped. “Now I know we’re not talking about yarn and inventory.”

The discussion and her ultimate laughter were at the top of his mind as he finally stepped into Bird’s. At first he’d said no to Craig’s and Ziggy’s texts to come out. But after Kerry left and it was just him feeling how large the small shop felt when it was empty, it suddenly seemed like too much to bear. Yeah, he knew it was mad sketchy of him to run away from his feelings once again, but it was what he did best. Besides, at least with this run he wouldn’t end up with another Erika-in-the-morning situation. His letting that happen showed just how off his game he was.

But there would be no games tonight. Just some food to fill him up and a quick drink to send him off. That was all he needed.

Besides, Bird’s was a no-brainer distraction. An old Harlem spot, it had recently been remodeled to cater to a younger clientele. Thankfully it hadn’t gone too far with its updates and still kept most of its original charm. Folks were even more thankful that they had kept their original cooks, because Bird’s had some of the best wings in Harlem—still at a half-decent price if you could catch them on special, and Jesse was still in time for wing hour.

There were no pretenses at Bird’s. No bouncers or red velvet rope out front. At Bird’s there was none of the pressure to put on a performance just for a drink and a decent hot wing. It was a good thing too, because Jesse didn’t think he had it in him to put on a show tonight. The day had taken enough out of him already with Kerry taxing both his brain and his body. Stepping in the front entrance and looking into the assessing eyes of the night’s hostess though, Jesse quickly realized that maybe he might have to do a little two-step, as it were.

“Hey, Jesse,” the hostess said. She tilted her head with a certain amount of suspicion and then ran her tongue over her front teeth. “Good to see you. It’s been a minute.”