He started just as the blade nicked his thumb. Biting off a curse, he put his finger in his mouth.
Pearl moved to his side and took the knife out of his other hand. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah." He inspected his finger. "Ha, barely broke surface. I'm fine."
"Do you want me to take over?" she offered.
Jesse looked at her like she'd just grown horns. "No, I don't! I'm not even bleeding." He walked over to the sink and washed his hands and then raised them. "See? I'm as good as new." He smiled and gestured to the stool at the counter. "Just watch me, Miss Guthrie."
"Okay…"
It didn't take Pearl long before she admitted Jesse really did know what he was doing at the stove.
"You look like you're pretty good at this."
"Don't sound so surprised, Miss Guthrie. This isn't even my specialty."
Raising an eyebrow, "Oh, really?"
"Really," came the smug response. The Pearl induced daze was under control and he was focused on the food and the conversation.
When he started making dessert, however, he kicked her out of the kitchen.
"Will you help me by setting the table?"
"Sure." She hopped off the chair and opened the cupboard with the plates in it.
Jesse watched her leave, liking how the dress she was wearing danced around her legs when she walked. Once he heard her pottering around in the dining room, he took out the ingredients for the final dish. Tossing half of them in the blender, he closed the lid and turned it on. The rest of it he whisked into a smooth mixture.
He was done with the meal preparation by the time Pearl stood in the doorway and announced that she was done.
"So am I."
"Great," Pearl smiled. "My mouth is watering. Everything smells delicious."
Jesse grinned and guided her back to the table. He stopped short when he took in the table cloth, place settings and candles. He glanced at her.
She shrugged. "I figured the ambiance should match the food. You put effort into dinner, so…" she gestured at the table and its intimate dinner settings.
He put an arm around her shoulders and squeezed. "It looks great."
Pulling her chair out, he said, "For your starter, I have prepared crispy ravioli in a marinara sauce made from scratch and that is just the beginning… prepare to be impressed."
Pearl's hand played with her wine glass. The entire meal had been delicious and each course had caused her to praise Jesse's culinary ability.
"That was amazing. Thank you so much."
"It was my pleasure, I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"How could I not?" The food had all been delicious, the conversation light and entertaining, the host wholly capable.
"So," he was saying, eyes glowing in the candlelight, "any time you need a good home cooked meal, call me."
"You'll be on speed dial," Pearl assured him.
They cleared the plates off the table and then Jesse took her hand, heading back out of the kitchen toward the living room.
He fiddled with the stereo system for a second and then turned back to Pearl and grinned. "The last element of a good time."
Pearl's eyes widened.
"Just one dance," he insisted, holding out his other hand to her.
The music was upbeat and Latin. Jesse was already moving his shoulders and Pearl could see he had no problem keeping a rhythm. Shaking her head in wonder, she fell into step with the handsome doctor.
"Is there anything you can't do?"
Resist you, his mind replied promptly. With an easy smile, Jesse told her to ask his family, they probably had a list.
They danced to more than one song but Pearl didn't mind. The music was good and her dance partner was quite capable.
If it had been up to Jesse, he would have prolonged the moment as long as possible. He had Pearl laughing and dancing and there was nothing else he'd have wanted at that point. She locked her hands behind his neck as the song changed and his heart stopped for a second.
"I'm having a great time," Pearl began.
Then the phone rang.
Jesse frowned and looked at the clock on the wall. It was just after nine.
"Who in the world could that be?"
Jesse shrugged and went to answer it, unwillingly breaking Pearl's hold.
"Hello?"
"Hey, brother!"
"Sam?" His eyes found Pearl's and she rolled her eyes, moving over to turn down the music. Jesse's gaze followed her until she came to sit next to where he was standing.
"Yeah," Sam was saying, "I called because you've been quiet on the Pearl updates."
"That's because she's fine, man."
"Really?"
"Yes." Pause. "You can even ask her yourself."
"What? Is she there?"
"Yes," Jesse said cautiously. He glanced at Pearl and her eyebrow rose. Then he said, "We were having dinner."
"Let me talk to her," his brother insisted.
Handing over the phone, Jesse perched on the side of Pearl's armchair.
"Hey, Sam," Pearl said easily.
"Pearl, are you alright?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" she asked, puzzled. "Jesse nursed me back from the last attack and I'm fine. Back at work and it's going alright."
"Oh. Okay."
"How's Dana?"
"She's great. She's been busy with a project but we all know she loves it."
Pearl chuckled and asked after everyone else. Sam told her all he could and then asked her how Jesse was doing.
"He's doing great. They are treating him very well over here," she said honestly, briefly looking up at the man in question. "They really hope he'll take up the offer."
"And does he look like he might?"
Pearl heard the anxiety and sighed, "I don't know, hon. You'll have to hear that from him."
"Yeah." Pause. "Well, I better let you guys get to bed. I'd have called sooner but the day started off crazy."
"Well, not to worry, we were both still up."
"Oh. Alright, then."
"Good night, Sam."
"Good night, Pearl. Dana says night night."
Jesse waved silently. "So does Jesse," Pearl chuckled. "We'll chat soon," she promised.
"Okay. Bye now."
Then he hung up and Pearl did the same. Looking up at Jesse she told him, "He's worried you won't go back to America."
"What? Of course I will."
Pearl shrugged. "He doesn't want you to like this place too much."
Jesse grimaced. "My stay here is almost over."
"Would you want to work here, though?"
He looked at her speculatively. "I don't know yet. It's been great."
"But there's a 'but'," Pearl nodded.
That made him smile. "Yes. There's a but… I guess I'll have to choose sooner than later."
"It's a career move. Take as much time as you can."
Jesse nodded. "I will." Looking at the clock again, "I should let you get to bed now."
Pearl wrinkled her nose. "You should. I had a lot of fun tonight, Jesse. The meal, the company… it's all been great."
Jesse smiled. "Like I said, any time."
She stood up from the chair and turned to face him for a short moment. "Good night then."
He remained seated on the arm of the chair. "Good night, Pearl. Sleep well."