Page 71 of Idle

“We’re on Day Three of five in the final round.”

“You must be excited. Tell me all about what you’re doing.” I describe the bathroom and then the bedroom, skimming over Jesse’s issue with the headboard. “Sounds amazing. I’m happy for you. Want to know what else?”

I can tell she’s bursting. “What?”

“I don’t want to jinx anything, but Madison referred me to her friend Stephanie, who’s a headhunter at Elite Placement Agency. Well, I met with Stephanie and she thinks I’d be a good fit for some positions she’s trying to fill. She’s going to recommend me. Isn’t that awesome?”

I inject excitement into my voice. “Super!” Hope that sounded positive enough. Iamhappy for her.

She rambles for a while, then stops. “Alright. I can tell you’re humoring me. What’s eating at you?”

Too much. “It’s Jesse. He’s carving the headboard—”

“You mentioned that earlier. You said he was doing a good job with it.”

“I might have been a bit optimistic. He’s meticulous with each stroke. Which makes him slow. I don’t know if he’ll finish on time, and he won’t get to any other items on his to-do list, that’s for sure.”

“What else does he have to do?” I list out the things he has to finish. “And you? What’s on your plate?” I give her my list. “Can you take on any more of his work?”

“I think so. He’s built the pieces, but they need to be painted or stained and such. I can do that.” A jolt runs through me. Instead of focusing on the headboard, I should leave that item to Jesse. His work in the bedroom has been stellar, if not slow. “Stellar” may be overstating things a little. Still. If I take over the rest of his work, his burden will be eased. “I’m not as good as he is, but I’ve done it before.”

“See. Easy peasy. Now we’re both on track.” She pauses. “No checklist required.”

Ignoring my cousin’s teasing, we hang up and I notice the sky is bluer than before. Even “Stormy Tides” seems less intimidating. I can do this.I hope.

When I get back into the work area, a couple of guys on the camera crew are eating lunch. I pass Jesse a cup of vanilla ice cream. “Present. Thought you’d like something sweet.”

He blinks, but doesn’t make a move toward his dessert. “I apologize about before. This is overwhelming, and I want to do a good job.”

“I understand.” I shake the cup, and he takes it from my hand. “I talked with Chloe and came up with another solution.”

He pauses in bringing his spoon to his mouth. “Dare I ask?”

I square my shoulders. “I can take over your to do’s, leaving you with the headboard only.”

“I don’t know, Paige.” His right foot rocks from side to side. “All of the furniture needs finishing work. Think you’re up for it?”

He didn’t discard my idea as stupid or treat me like a child, as everyone else does. He’s asking me a question, not overriding my suggestion. Standing taller, I reply, “I can do it.”I hope.

“Then I’m up for it. I’ll get more than half of the headboard carved today.”

I glance from the clock on my cell to the headboard, which boasts maybe about one-quarter done now with four more hours to go today. He can do it. “And I’ll start to work on the dresser.” This is the largest piece, which will make the rest seem easy.

The day speeds by. We work together like we were born for this. Were we? As I paint the top of the dresser, I wonder if this is what fate feels like. I glance over at Jesse, who’s concentrating on his woodwork, his tongue sticking out of his mouth. What a talented tongue it is! I can’t wait for tonight.

No sooner does this thought cross my mind then the lead cameraman says, “Alright, guys. Day’s over. Why don’t you get cleaned up and return to 1626 for some final video.”

Placing my paintbrush down, I examine the dresser with a critical eye. It’s not perfect, but it’s a good effort, if I do say so myself. I want to get different drawer pulls in the prop room tomorrow. I think they’ll enhance the beauty of the piece more so than the current ones.

I get to my feet and walk over to Jesse, hoping he’s at least halfway done. Standing behind him, I appreciate his body before moving over to peruse the headboard. Well, he’s not quite at fifty percent. More like forty. Still, he has all day tomorrow and then he can finish up on the final day. I’ll need his attention on the last day, though, as I can’t hang the window coverings by myself. Among all the final details.

“Looks good, Jesse.”

His fingers swipe the excess sawdust away and he drops the knife onto a table. “Thank you. This is more involved than I thought it would be.”

I wrap my hand around his arm, enjoying the feel of his biceps. “Let’s get out of here. Clear our heads.” Meaning—go into the finished bedroom in 1626 and get lost in each other.

“If you don’t mind, I need to make a call. I want to discuss this project with Mr. Hooper.”

---