Before the end of Summer

Chapter Four

Four

I've been staring at the business card Jesse left on my desk for the past two days. I don't know why I haven't called. That's a lie. I didn't make the call because it's pointless. I mean, we'd go out, talk for a little bit, and then I'd insult him, and he'd realize how much of a mistake it all was and go on his way. Basically, how all my relationships end.

Okay, I might be exaggerating. I don't insult every guy I date. It's just there's always something, some flaw that just kills any chance that we have of making it to a month. Not that Jesse and I are dating. I lay the card down on the desk and slouch in my chair. We'd gotten four new clients, which wasn't nearly the amount we could've gotten if I hadn't punched ol' raggedy Anne in the nose. I know I should feel bad about it, but I still don't. The phone rings, and startles me.

"Lawson Landscaping, how may I help you?" I hold the phone between my shoulder and ear, while I keep playing with the business card. I need to get a grip.

"Yes, I'd like to request some additional services?" Holy crap! I nearly drop the phone when I realize that it's Jesse's deep voice on the other line. Play it cool Liz.

"Yes of course. Could I just have the name on the contract please?" I decide to remain professional. He can't know that I'm sitting here, clinging to his stupid phone number."

"Callahan." Jesse answers, in a questioning voice. Oh, this is perfect!

"Callahan? And how do you spell that?" I ask, the playful tone creeping out. 

"C-a-l-l" Midway through his spelling, I burst out laughing. "Ha-ha." Jesse chuckles. "You really had me going there."  

"Sorry, things at the office are a little slow today." I laugh. 

"It's alright; I'll gladly be your source of amusement." Gosh, is he always so...smooth? 

I clear my throat, "Um, so what kind of services would you like to add?" 

"Right. My parents are leaving the house for the week and my mom doesn't trust me to take care of her garden." Ah, so basically, I'd be checking in and watering the produce. No big deal. 

"Can't handle a watering can?" My teasing is unintentional, but I like the reaction I'm getting. He can take a joke, meaning he has a nice sense of humor.  

"Psh, watering can is a piece of cake. It's the damn watering hose that I'm concerned about." Laughing loudly, and almost snorting, I lean back in my chair. My mind is in the gutter, and it's clear by his silence that Jesse didn't see the innuendo. "Alright chuckles, I know how that sounded, but I can handle my water hose." I laugh harder at that. 

"That doesn't help my train of thought." Somehow I manage to get the words out despite all my laughter. 

"You don't know what I've been through with this water hose!" Jesse really turns up the dramatics with this one. He feigns crying, and wails about how he once got tangled up in it at a pool party. "It's pure evil!" His fake sobbing is over the top, but it has me in tears. 

"Okay, my stomach is hurting." I pant. I inhale and let out a breath to calm myself. "I'll come by and tend the plants, just please no more crying."

"Thank heavens." Jesse sniffles, and I shake my head. I really needed that laugh today. I realize now, that we've been joking and goofing around for twenty minutes. I smile to myself. There's a silence between us. "So, um, thanks for agreeing to help."

"No problem." I answer back; a little sad that the phone call is ending.

There was a pause. "Alright, I'll drop off the check next week." I bite my lip. Liz, you don't want this to end, stop being a pansy and ask him out.