‘The face you pull when you’re thinking.’
‘I wasn’t aware I had one.’
‘Oh, you do. Very much so.’
He straightened away from the door, his eyes now crinkling at the corners with amusement. ‘Is that right? So how come nobody else has ever mentioned this?’
‘I have no idea. Probably they’re a little scared of you. You can look quite intimidating, even though I’m sure they all know you wouldn’t hurt a fly.’
‘Actually, flies have an incredible ability to piss me off.’
‘Well, yes. Me too. Bad example. Anyway. I have no idea why it’s not come up before but, as you don’t scare me, I can mention it. Now, what’s your idea?’
‘First off, I’m glad you’re not scared of me. I’d feel like a shit if you were, but also it doesn’t surprise me because despite appearances, you’re tougher than some blokes I’ve known. Probably not supposed to say that these days either, but I’ve said it now.’
‘Despite appearances?’ I prompted.
‘You’re very ladylike.’ He took in the mud currently plastered over me. ‘Usually.’
‘And ladylike can’t be tough?’
‘Not what I said. At least not what I meant.’
I tilted my head at him in question.
‘I’m kind of wishing I’d kept my mouth shut now.’
I took a step towards him. ‘Aha, but you didn’t so now you have to explain.’
He closed his eyes and tipped his head back. ‘Can I have a guarantee that you won’t take it the wrong way?’
‘No.’
‘Fine.’ He crossed his arms, the shirtsleeves now rolled up to expose forearms with muscles like braided wire and dusted with dark hair. I tried to ignore them. What was it about forearms on blokes, especially good, strong ones like these? I raised my eyes and concentrated. Hard.
‘OK. I won’t take it wrong.’
‘Can I have that in writing? Especially as we’re going to be housemates for a few days. I don’t have locks on my bedroom doors.’
‘Funny.’
Jesse grinned. Great forearms and a killer smile. Quite the combination. One half of my brain was lighting a fire and the other side was rushing over and rugby-tackling the matches away.
‘Go on, then.’
‘Let’s walk back up around the perimeter of the grounds. That way, I can show you the boundary properly and if we’re walking, I’ll feel less cornered than I do right now.’
I rolled my eyes as we fell into step beside each other.
As we walked, Jesse pointed out the boundaries, who they abutted and any significance of the views in the distance.
‘You’re stalling,’ I said as he pointed out a hill, apparently called ‘Bob’s Knob’. A childish part of me wanted to snigger at that but adult me held it in.
‘Not at all. Just giving you a chance to either giggle or make a comment about the name. You’re clearly bursting to.’
‘Rubbish. I don’t know what you mean.’
‘Well,’ he said, looking at me and seeing straight through. ‘That’s disappointing. I’d hoped your humour was more puerile than that.’
