‘I couldn’t do that.’
‘What do you mean? You’re hardly out of shape,’ I said, hoping that my words landed the right tone of telling him he looked fit without sounding like I was hitting on him.
‘Not from a gym. I mean, I have done all that in the past. But, honestly, it’s not for me. The noise, the poseurs, the… I don’t know… fakeness of it all.’ He shook his head. ‘Just not for me.’
‘You could have worn headphones.’
‘Or I could lift weights in my garden and listen to birdsong.’
‘Not everyone has that luxury.’
‘Nope. You’re absolutely right and I’m well aware that I’m lucky to be able to.’
‘I didn’t make you anything yet,’ Julie called as we approached. ‘Wasn’t sure how long you were going to be.’
I pretended not to notice the cheeky look she threw her brother and the mutinous one he tossed back.
‘That’s OK. I’ll do it. You have a sit down.’ I indicated where the others had now gathered nearby. ‘What would you like?’ I asked Jesse, walking into the building and flicking on the kettle.
‘I can do it.’ He reached past me for the coffee tin.
‘I’m sure you can but I offered. Quite frankly, it’s the least I can do.’
Jesse stood back, his feet planted apart, the strong arms crossing on the broad chest.
‘Uh-oh.’
‘Uh-oh, what?’
‘Whenever you stand like that, you’re usually about to tell me something else I’ve done wrong.’
He stared at me for a moment, then let out a bark of laughter. For a second, the sounds of chatter outside silenced. Jesse ignored it.
‘You’re a quick learner.’
The mouth curved up both sides this time. The kettle reaching boiling point gave me the opportunity to turn away, which was just as well. The last thing I needed right now – or at all – was to crush on Jesse Woods.
9
‘How do you take your coffee?’ I asked, pulling across two mugs. Neither were mine. Someone must have brought extra supplies.
‘Strong, no sugar.’
‘Milk?’
‘Just a drop.’
‘Is it worth it?’
‘I think so.’
I smiled but didn’t turn around.
‘So what was it?’ I asked, adding the requested drop of milk to his drink.
‘What’s that?’ he asked, coming to lean on the wall beside me.
I handed him the mug. ‘What you were about to have a go at me for this time?’
