Real Men Knit(56)

“And whose fault was that?” Kerry said, looking over at him.

Jesse rolled his eyes. “Okay, fine. You got me there. But hopefully it’s all taken care of.”

Kerry took a bite of her sandwich and gave him a skeptical look.

“Don’t give me that look. And I was just teasing back in the kitchen. I told Erika we’re coworkers and friends. Though I did let her know it wasn’t really her business what we were.”

Kerry frowned. “Don’t you think that was a little harsh?”

He bit into his sandwich and looked at her. “I didn’t like the tone she used with you. The assistant comment annoyed me.”

“It wasn’t a big deal,” Kerry said.

He nodded. “Maybe, but I still didn’t like it.”

Kerry grabbed a chip, suddenly wanting to fill her mouth with another flavor. She watched as Jesse ate and focused on the baseball game on the TV. He grimaced as the Yankees pitcher threw yet another low and outside ball to the batter.

“I know what you’re saying,” he suddenly blurted out. “But I am focused on work here. Besides, we made good progress today. I know you have to work tomorrow at the center. But I’ll continue. I have my checklist. We should be good.”

Kerry nodded. “Sure. We should be.”

There was a loud crack from the TV, and his attention was pulled forward. “You know,” he said, “maybe we should add a TV down in the shop.”

“What? Like in a barbershop?”

Jesse’s expression hardened. “No, I don’t mean like in a barbershop, funny girl. I just think it’s an easy and not all that expensive way to make a change.”

“But people come to the shop for a retreat. For an escape from their norm. How would having a TV help that?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe we could show knitting videos.”

She blinked. It wasn’t like his idea was bad; it was just that she’d never seen a yarn shop with a TV. Though with Jesse’s penchant for avoiding boredom and how he seemed to hate silence, she had a feeling that if she didn’t agree to this, he’d end up watching TV on his phone during any of his off times anyway. “Who knows,” she finally said. “Maybe it could work.”

“Of course it will work,” he said with no small amount of finality. “It’s all going to work.” The last part seemed like more of a confirmation for himself than for her.

Kerry went to get another bite of her sandwich and realized it was gone. How did the time eating with him go by like that? He smiled at her. Shit. That’s how. She made a move to get up and take her trash into the kitchen when Jesse put out a hand to stop her. “You sit. I’ve got it.” He handed her the remote. “Here. Maybe find us something on Netflix if you’re up to it. I promised you the remote.”

“But—your game?” Kerry said, looking at the remote as if it were some sort of loaded weapon. Did he say Netflix? Was he using this to imply “Netflix and chill”?

Jesse pushed it into her hand, and she wrapped her fingers around the hard plastic.

“This game is all but over anyway. It’s no use watching when I already know the outcome.” He picked up their trash and disappeared into the kitchen.

Kerry let his words echo through her head as she scrolled through the Netflix menu. No use watching when he already knew the outcome. She couldn’t agree more. She finally put down the remote and headed off to Damian’s room. She’d do some knitting in there and watch something on her laptop. It was better that way. If she was chilling with Netflix, she’d do it her usual way . . . alone. Doing it on the couch next to Jesse was way too dangerous for her and her shaky hormones.

She passed Jesse on his way back to the living room and stretched in the most obviously-trying-to-be-nonchalant-and-failing way possible. “You know what, I’m a little tired. It has been a long day. I think I’m going to head off to bed.”

Jesse looked at her with concern in his eyes. “You sure? It’s still kind of early. Are you all right?”

Seriously? He was falling for this? Kerry nodded and gave him a smile. “I’m fine. Just tired. It’s been a lot for one weekend, and with work tomorrow and the kids, I need to get a little rest.”

She could see the slight disappointment as it fluttered across Jesse’s face, but he covered it quickly. “Okay, then. Rest well. I’ll stay up and hang out. Let me know if the TV is too loud for you.”

She held her hand up. “I’m sure it will be fine,” she said as she headed off to her—no, Damian’s room, she reminded herself. “Good night.”

“Let me know if you need anything,” he yelled behind her.

She turned and nodded.

“In the bathroom or anything.”

Kerry nodded again. “I’m good, Jes.”

“You’re good?”

She laughed this time before turning to Damian’s door. She stood there, not quite ready to end the moment. “And so are you,” Kerry mumbled as she stepped through the doorway and looked back at Jesse once more before closing the door behind herself.





17




Kerry shouldn’t have been surprised to find Jesse not in the kitchen but already in the shop the next morning with his feet up on the farmhouse table knitting away. She had planned on leaving early through the residence entrance, getting a coffee and roll on her way to her morning job at the community center, but when she heard a shuffle and saw that the light was on she turned to head down the stairs to the shop.