Chapter 12 #2
He was easy on the eyes and easy to talk to. Unlike Eddie, Tomas seemed genuinely interested in hearing her thoughts and ideas. “I’m thinking about making instructional videos. Maybe get tool companies to sponsor them. We could film you teaching one of the female students in the program?—”
Raising his beer bottle, he interrupted her, “Not to burst your bubble, but that’s already been done.
To pass one of the classes, students have to demonstrate competence with different tools—explain safety stuff, different uses.
One kid came down with Covid and couldn’t do it in person, so she sent in a video recording. ”
“The videos could be of students explaining to you how to operate a tool effectively!”
“Me?”
She was getting excited now. She reached over and squeezed his knee. “Yes! This would be excellent exposure for Keeney Builds. Prospective employers could see the students demonstrate their knowledge, and prospective students would see what’s expected of them in the program.”
“I get that. But why do I need to be in the video?”
Fiona snorted and waved her hand up and down. “Because you are all that. And there will be multiple views.” Did I just say that? The wine is going to my head.
Tomas blinked. “I’m all that, huh?”
She squirmed. “Yes,” she squeaked.
He leaned toward her, tracing her cheekbone with a finger. “I think you’re all that as well.”
Staring at his full lips, Fiona forgot all about power tools and instructional videos. A thrill shot through her as his gaze darkened, and his hand slid around her jaw to cup the back of her neck. She parted her lips in an invitation, moving closer.
“Hello!” A voice came from the bottom of the stairs. “Can I come up or am I intruding?”
The moment broken, Tomas removed his hand, sat back, and drank from his beer.
“Hey, Iris,” Grimacing at him in apology, Fiona called to her landlady and mother-in-law, “Come on up.”
Tomas rose as Iris came into view. Turning slightly so his back was toward the stairs, he adjusted himself, drawing Fiona’s eyes to his crotch. Oh my. Her gaze swept up to his, catching the slight narrowing of his eyes. Then he winked. And she blinked, wondering just how red her face had gotten.
“Hi Tomas,” Iris said, “Please, sit down.”
“Would you like to join us?” Fiona asked. “I can get a glass of wine for you?” Please say no, please say no.
The older woman shook her head and walked toward a chair. “I’ll sit for a minute, but no wine for me. I’m headed to Scrabble.”
“We were talking about a new idea for KBS and Keeney Builds.”
Iris’s gaze bounced between Fiona and Tomas, eyebrows raised in silent question.
Aware that he was now sitting closer to her, Fiona ignored him to focus on Iris. “He brought me this power drill, and we started talking about instructional videos for women.”
“Videos? Like on YouTube?”
“Yeah. The intended audience is women who want to make small repairs around the house.”
“I can see that.” Iris nodded. “I’ve been selling power tools for years, but I barely know how to use them.”
“Exactly!” Fiona shifted to pick up the drill. “Tomas says this company makes tools in smaller sizes, so they aren’t as bulky and unwieldy. Perhaps they would want to sponsor.”
Crossing her arms, Iris tipped her head to the side. “Have you thought about classes as well?”
“I already teach classes,” Tomas said.
Iris shook her head. “Not like the classes for your contracting students. I’m thinking of the Senior Center. There’s a big multi-purpose room with counters. It’s been used for flower arranging classes and cooking demos. This would be the same kind of thing.”
“That’s an excellent idea.” Fiona beamed at Tomas. “What do you think? Or is that stretching you too thin. You’ve got the contracting jobs for KBS and the classes for the program….”
Tomas rubbed a long finger back and forth across his bottom lip. “Let me talk to Hilary and Vincent. There’s a student or two we may recommend that Ali hire for KBS.”
Iris asked, “Do you want to teach classes to women?”
Fiona hadn’t even thought of that. She studied Tomas for his response.
Attuned to his presence, she noticed a slight stiffening before he shrugged, saying.
“I don’t know. I like building houses, and I like teaching students about building houses because there’s a specific plan, and they’re kids wanting to learn a profession. Not….”
“Old women looking for something to occupy their time,” Iris deadpanned.
That drew a snort from both Fiona and Tomas.
Moving to the edge of her seat, Iris’s grin switched to an earnest expression.
“Keeney Builds has really come along. It’s no longer a way to get people jobs in the trades.
I know that you’re trying to get students into architecture, and you need funding for that.
For funding, you need attention. Classes for the community—some for seniors and some for kids—draw that attention.
Some of your students may want to go into teaching themselves, and this would be a good training ground. ”
She rose from her chair and reached over to pat Tomas on the arm.
“I’ve heard graduates talk about how good you are.
Yes, you’re cranky, but you hold them to high standards and are patient.
” She walked to the stairs. “Think about it. We could make this work, as well as those videos you talked about.” With a final wave, she descended the stairs.
Fiona and Tomas were silent as they listened to her car start and move down the driveway.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to railroad you.” Fiona knew so little about him and they weren’t at a place where she should be pushing him. This was their second date after all.
Smiling absently, he took her hand, tugging her toward him.
Without resistance, she rose from her chair, moved around his long legs, and settled beside him on the small couch.
He stroked his thumb over the back of her hand and leaned in to place a kiss on her cheek, close to, but not on the lips.
“You didn’t railroad me.” He tilted his head at the drill Fiona still held in her other hand.
“I thought I was bringing you a gift, not a springboard for a new training program.”
She crinkled her nose at him. “Ideas fly at me all the time, and I can get carried away.” Holding up the drill she added, “I really like this. Will you teach me how to use it?”
“Do you want private lessons with power tools?”
Glancing down at his crotch, then up at his dark eyes, she replied, “Is that an innuendo?”
“Yeah.”
“Then yeah.” She set the drill down on the table. Twisting around, she reached up to stroke his cheek, opening her lips in invitation.
Tomas accepted the offering with a growl.
Twisting around, he brought his hand to the back of her neck, then into her hair, drawing her head closer and sealing his lips over hers.
He tasted and teased and sucked gently on her bottom lip, leaving Fiona breathless.
She climbed into his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck, and went back for more.
The man could teach a master class on kissing, and she wanted to be the only student.