A Lesson on Love

by Sharon C. Cooper

  Seconds ticked by without her responding and just when he thought she wouldn’t answer the question, Rayne said, “It’s a long story. I rather not talk about it right now.”

  She glanced at the table where Stormy was giggling with her new friends. Jerry wanted so bad to press Rayne for more information, but she was right, that wasn’t the best place to have a serious conversation. Each time she shared a little bit of her past, he was left with more questions that he intended to one day get answers to.

  “Your choice surprises me.” He nodded at her single scoop of vanilla ice cream. “You passed on orange cream, butter pecan, and didn’t even get a waffle cone. What’s that all about? We come to the best ice cream parlor in the country, and you order…vanilla,” he said with playful disdain. “You don’t strike me as a vanilla type of person.”

  She actually struck him more as a cookies and cream, or a decadent strawberry chocolate chip type of person. There was a fun, vibrancy about her that she kept under wraps and only let slip out on occasion. As if she had to always be straight-laced and serious, not wanting anyone to know that she had a fun and free side to her.

  Jerry didn’t know for sure if that was the case, but he had a feeling Rayne wasn’t as innocent…or vanilla as she let on. If only she would let him in a little, maybe he could bring the real her to life.

  With the plastic spoon, she scooped up a small amount of ice cream from the cup and brought it to her lips. Her perfectly shaped…kissable lips. He watched as she glided the spoon into her mouth, her eyes fluttering as she savored the icy treat. Even the way she slowly slid the spoon out was a turn on. How could such a simple gesture look so sensual?

  Her tongue slid out and she licked the spoon. “I’m keeping sweets to a minimum since I’m trying to drop a few pounds.”

  That snapped Jerry out of his trance. “Why?”

  Her brows dipped into a frown when she looked at him. “What do you mean, why? Look at me.”

  “Baby, I am looking at you, and I love what I see.”

  She gave an unladylike snort and stuck her spoon back into the cup for another scoop of ice cream. “I’m not sure what you see, but I doubt you usually hang out with women who don’t spend much time in the gym like you do. Or those who look at food and gain ten pounds. Or anyone who’s wardrobe only consists of big, baggy shirts and stretch pants.”

  Frustration drummed through his veins. “I hate when you do that.”

  “When I do what?”

  “When you put yourself down. Sometimes I wonder if you even know how gorgeous you are. And for the record,” he lowered his voice. “You’re the perfect size. I’m a big guy. What the hell am I going to do with some skinny chick? I prefer a woman with meat on her bones.”

  “I—I didn’t realize I was putting myself down. I was…I was just stating fact.”

  “Well, the fact is, I like you, Rayne, just the way you are, inside and out. And I’m hoping to get to know you even better.”

  She shook her head and chuckled. “Jerry, I like you too, more than you know, but we’ve had this conversation. I’m not dating you.”

  “Why, because you’re interested in Calvin?”

  Jerry had never been the jealous type when it came to the women he dated, but none of those women had been Rayne. When he heard Calvin ask her out, he wanted to throat punch the guy.

  “I’m not in…wait. Is that why you were rude at the library?”

  “I wasn’t rude. I just didn’t appreciate him trying to move in on my territory.”

  “What territory? You and I are just friends.”

  “With the potential of being so much more.” He winked. “Besides, you couldn’t date that guy even if you wanted to.”

  Her spoon stopped mid-way to her mouth, and she frowned. “Excuse me? What gives you the right to say who I can or can’t date?”

  He held up his free hand and kept his voice low. “Hey, it’s not me. It’s Stormy.”

  Rayne glanced at her daughter before moving closer to Jerry and leaning in. The coconut scent of her hair even more pronounced, making him want to pull her closer.

  “Did she say something to you?” she asked in a whisper.

  Jerry licked his ice cream, catching some of the melting, sweet treat with his tongue before it started down the side of the waffle cone.

  “She didn’t have to say anything. I’m a little surprised that you didn’t notice.”

  “Notice what?”

  “How she treated ol’ boy.” He kept his voice low. “Ladybug likes everyone. She’s always smiling, striking up conversation, and asking people their name, but she had a different vibe with your friend.”

  “He’s not my friend,” Rayne said defensively, looking deep in thought as she sat back in her seat.

  Jerry was pretty sure she wasn’t interested in Calvin. Otherwise, Stormy’s reaction would’ve jumped out to her. She also probably would’ve addressed her daughter’s tone at the way she practically snapped at the man.

  “I’m assuming you’re not interested in him.”

  “Right now, I’m only interested in raising my daughter. Dating is not a part of my plans.”

  “It could be. You can date me and still take care of Ladybug. You know I would never do anything to come between you and her.”

  “I know. It’s just that I don’t think I’m ready to start dating yet.”

  Jerry nodded. “Okay, but just as a heads up, I might ask you out again.”

  She laughed. “Well, thanks for the warning. I’ll get my ‘no’ all ready for you.”

  Jerry grinned at her. Except for the run in with the Calvin guy, the day had been perfect. They fit together well, even if Rayne was still trying to keep him at a distance.

  But little did she know, he was a patient man who always went after what he wanted. And he wanted Rayne Ellison.

  Chapter Five

  “You’re not ready.”

  Jerry glared at Nick, his hands balled into a fist at his sides, itching to punch his cousin in the mouth. As the big boss, Nick might have the final say in all things pertaining to the family business, but he was wrong in this case. Jerry was perfect for the electrician foreman’s position. Granted he’d have to wait a couple of months for Ted, the current foreman, to retire, but he was ready.

  Nick removed his reading glasses and set them on the desk. In his mid-thirties, they were about the same in height and weight, but his cousin was a few years older. The good Jenkins’ genes that much of the family bragged about had spilled onto Nick, making him look at least ten years younger than his actual age.

  “I need someone dependable, quick on their feet, and a person who can lead a team of twenty-five people. I’ll admit, your electrical skills and your ability to appease customers when a job isn’t going quite right, is on point. But Jay, there is so much more to the job.”

  Jerry placed his hands, palms down, on top of Nick’s desk. “I’m the best damn electrician here and you know it.”

  “That might be so, but that doesn’t mean you’re qualified to run that department.” Nick leaned back and rocked in his high-back, leather desk chair, rubbing the scruff on his chin. “I need someone I can trust to use good judgment.”

  “I can do—”

  “Someone who shows up to jobs and meetings on time,” Nick continued. “Someone who maintains a professional image while on the job and when he or she is off duty. But my number one concern with you is how you interact with our female clientele.”

  “What? Did someone complain about me?”

  “On the contrary. They love you, but in my opinion, you’re a little too…friendly at times.”

  “Really, Nick? That’s what you’re concerned about? You harp on us always providing a good customer experience. Yet, you’re trying to tell me that—”

  “I don’t ever want a situation to arise that someone misinterprets your good intentions. As head of a department, you’re not only dealing with customers but also vendors and employees. Though w
e haven’t had to deal with this, claims of sexual misconduct or assault, as well as harassment is real. In this climate, we can never be too careful. And your friendliness could easily be mistaken for more than you intend. If you know what I mean.”

  Yeah, Jerry knew what he meant. He flirted. Sometimes a little too much. Other times he didn’t even realize he was doing it. Either way, it was never with the intention of stepping over any moral lines or to make anyone uncomfortable. But he could see where that behavior could be a problem.

  He straightened and shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “Well, my days of flirting are over.” For more reasons than one, he started to say, but instead said, “I want this position.”

  Nick studied him for the longest time in that way that would make a weaker man look away. Jerry met his gaze. He had seen the look plenty of times. It was similar to the intense look their grandfather, Steven Jenkins, the patriarch of the family had perfected when talking to a business associate. Or when he was dealing with Jerry or one of the cousins who did something to embarrass the family.

  “Why do you want the position?” Nick asked.

  Jerry dropped down into one of the chairs sitting in front of the desk. “Because I’m ready for more responsibility. I know the business and the company’s values and policies better than anyone in that department. I can be a good leader if given the chance.”

  Nick shook his head. “I don’t know, dude. You’ve done some shady shit over the years…on company time.”

  “Man, I was a kid. I’m older and wiser now.”

  He’d started working around the shop while in high school and then went through the electrical apprenticeship right after graduation. Jerry couldn’t count the number of times his sister, Peyton, who used to run the company, had threatened to fire him for one stupid stunt or another.

  “Besides, I didn’t do anything that couldn’t be corrected.”

  “Yeah, ninety-nine percent of the time the situations worked out, but now you’re asking me to put you in charge of a department. That involves me trusting that you won’t do something crazy to screw up the whole company. It also involves tons of paperwork, hiring, firing, and sometimes long hours.”

  “I’m telling you, Nick, I can do it.”

  Before Nick could respond, a knock on the door snagged their attention before it swung open.

  “Nick, what do you want to do about,” Martina Jenkins-Kendricks, started but stopped when she realized Jerry was in the office. “Oops, sorry. I didn’t realize you guys were still meeting.”

  Jerry didn’t know what was going on with his cousin, who they referred to as MJ. Lately, she’d been more considerate, more chill, and…basically not herself. He could attribute it to marrying Paul, a former U.S. senator, but they’d been married a few years now. This behavior was new.

  She looked the same, with her customary baseball cap pulled low over her eyes, but the vibe she was giving off seemed more mellow than usual. Most days, she was that loud-mouth, pain-in-the-butt family member that every family had at least one of. Any other time she wouldn’t have apologize for barging in. She would’ve plopped down in a seat and started prying into whatever they were discussing, but not this morning. Today she seemed almost…human.

  Maybe she was changing, too.

  Internally Jerry chuckled at the thought because he couldn’t imagine her any other way than the pain in the ass that she usually was with the family. Yet, if he could change his ways and become the upstanding man he desired to be, why was it hard to believe that she couldn’t change?

  “What’s up?” Nick asked her. Martina was a carpenter by trade, and second in command at J & S.

  “Nothing too major. The Listermans decided they didn’t want to go with the maple hardwood flooring we purchased. They liked it but prefer to go with something a little lighter. Lucky for them, Volenski wants the hardwood for his place. I’ll just have to order a little more.”

  Nick sat forward. “So, what’s the problem?”

  “Do you want to charge the Listermans the restocking and inconvenience fee?”

  “We can let it slide this time, unless they decide to change something else that we’ve already ordered.”

  “That works for me.” She headed to the door.

  “Wait,” Jerry called out. “Before you leave, can you weigh in on a debate that Nick and I are having?”

  “Let me guess,” she put her hand on her hip, her weight mostly on one leg, “this is about the foremen’s position that doesn’t exist yet. Right?” She smirked, her typical smartass-self peeking through her professional veneer.

  “You guessed it,” Nick said. “I don’t think Jerry’s ready for that type of responsibility.”

  “And I told you that I am,” Jerry snapped, banging his fist on the desk. “I’m perfect for the position!” He turned to Martina. “Be honest, MJ. Do you think I can do the job?”

  “Yeah, actually, I think you can.”

  Both Jerry and Nick were struck speechless. Sure, Jerry wanted her to agree with him, he just hadn’t expected it to be that easy. What he expected was…

  “You might be a big-headed, stupid, jerk with an oversize ego, but you know your way around wires and electrical systems. I hate to say it, but your cocky ass would make a helluva foreman.”

  Cocky?

  “Now, can I get back to work? I don’t have time for this shit.”

  The moment the door closed behind her, Nick burst out laughing.

  A growl rumbled inside of Jerry’s chest. “I hate her.”

  “What did you expect?” Nick asked, still chuckling. “She’s incapable of saying anything nice about someone without throwing shade. It’s against her nature.”

  So much for thinking she had changed.

  Jerry leaned forward, his forearms on the desk. “I’m telling you, Nick, I can do it. I’m ready. All I need is a chance to prove it. Besides, I’m taking a page out of your book.”

  Nick’s brows shot up. “Is that right? How so?”

  “I’m…positioning myself.”

  “For?” He dragged out the word, looking skeptical.

  Jerry sat back and rubbed his forehead before meeting Nick’s gaze again. “You’ve probably noticed that over the last few months, I’ve been snatching up as much overtime as I can get.”

  “Yeah, and?”

  “And besides my townhome, I’m debt free. Outside of my mortgage and keeping a few dollars of spending money in my pocket, I’ve been saving and investing everything else. I’m not just changing myself, but I’m preparing for when I have a family.”

  That was one thing that Jerry had admired about Nick. For as long as he’d known his cousin, Nick had been serious about business and saving for the future. His cousin was seven years older, but wiser beyond his years. He used to hang on to almost every penny he made, claiming he wanted to be financially stable before he got married. And he had done just that.

  Jerry had heard that as a teenager, Nick had a financial and life plan that he stuck with, until he met his wife, Sumeera. Even then, it had taken losing her before he was willing to tweak his strategy and win her back. Now they were happily married with a little girl and a baby on the way.

  Nick stared at him, studying Jerry as if waiting for him to say more, then he burst out laughing again. He rocked in his seat and pounded the top of the desk as his laughter grew louder.

  What the hell?

  Jerry sat back in his seat and huffed out a breath, waiting for the jerk to calm down. He couldn’t be too upset at the blatant disrespect. He was the one who vowed repeatedly to anyone who would listen that he would never settle down with one woman when there were so many to choose from. But now…

  “Wait. You’re serious?”

  “Yeah, asshole. I’m serious. It’s a good thing I don’t suffer from low self-esteem. Between you, Liam, and MJ, I would have a complex.”

  “Well…damn, man. You forget, we know how immature you can be.”

 
“Past tense. I’m not that guy anymore.”

  “So you say.”

  “Give me a chance to prove that I’m the best person to fill that position.”

  “All right, but I’m not going to just slide you into that seat. I’ll be watching you until we’re ready to make a decision. I’m also talking to Ted for some recommendations. Just know that this might be your only shot to prove to me and the family that you’re as changed as you claim to be. Now get out of my office. I’m sure the client is probably wondering where you are.”

  “I already called and told them I’d be late.” Jerry lifted his hand when Nick started to speak. “Everything is cool, especially since I told them that the job would be done today.”

  “Okay, get to it then.”

  Jerry fist bumped his cousin before heading to the door. Proving to his family that he was a changed man was going to be an uphill battle. But like getting Rayne to give him a chance, he was ready for the challenge.

  Chapter Six

  Jerry glanced at his watch, the third time in the last thirty minutes. He had a few hours to finish up this job, and what he didn’t want to do was be late getting home. When he’d found out Rayne had to work a late shift and was planning to catch the bus, he insisted on dropping her off at work.

  She had been without her car for three days and it was starting to wear on her, especially when she found out she needed a new alternator. Jerry still remembered the relief in her beautiful eyes when he’d told her that there wouldn’t be a charge for the car repair. He had a feeling money was tighter than she let on.

  He was pulled out of his thoughts when the door alarm chimed, signaling someone was entering the house that he was working in. He assumed it was either Mr. or Mrs. Brooks, the owners, returning.

  “Mom, you here?” a familiar voice called out.

  Jerry finished attaching the twist-on wire connectors to a set of wires before pushing them back into the small opening in the ceiling. The click-clack of high heels on the hardwood floor grew closer to the kitchen and dining room combo where he was working.