Working with Devin Cole is... pleasant.

I don't know what I was expecting. Well, maybe for him to run away at the first chance. He is a quiet man, so much that at times I forget he is in the room. Then I jump startled when he asks me a question about what he is making.

Yesterday Devin helped me to finish two projects for today's birthday and he got the first taste of what's like to be me. The first project was a garland made of bandana triangles that needed to be glued to cord. When I handed him the glue gun it was kind of cute. He looked at it with great interest and I was surprised to learn he had never seen one before.

I explained how to use it and arranged the materials on the table next to him. At first, he pressed the gun too hard and a giant blob of glue came out.

"It won't stop, Tania!" he panicked, standing up and holding the gun by the electrical cord with two fingers.

I got it from his hand and removed the glue stick. He looked relieved. After cleaning the mess, he sat down to his task. I kept an eye on him from my place behind the sewing machine.

He frowned as he waited for the glue stick to melt again. He shaved his beard like I asked him, but two days later a light one has appeared. I must admit he is a handsome man and I find myself staring at his baby blue eyes longer than what is acceptable.

He pressed the gun carefully this time and had the tip of his tongue out every time he did. It was quite funny to watch. At one moment, he stood up and walked quickly to the kitchen. I heard the faucet running and thought he was making coffee.

"Fucking hell, this hurts," he whispered, but it was loud enough to reach me.

I found him cooling a burn and felt sorry for him. I looked at my hands and the old battle scars from glue, craft knives, and scissors. They hurt but in the end they are the proof of my dedication. I grabbed a tube of balm for burns, handed it to him and gave him a sheepish smile.

"You are on time to quit," I said.

"I don't run away from challenges," he said while treating his burn. "Sorry I cursed,"

"I do it all the time," I said and he grinned.

He went back to his task and was more careful than ever. I then handed him silk red roses and a box of lanterns.

"We will hang these from a tree I saw at the venue. I want to place the cake table under them," I said. "Could you please glue three roses on top of each lantern?" I arranged the flowers on top to show him what I meant.

"Lanterns over the cake table," Devin said with a nod, looking as if making a mental note.

I left him to his new task and checked on the planning. Thanks to Devin, I was way ahead of schedule, meaning I could go to bed on time. That's the reason why I feel calm and rested today. It's been long since the last time I felt like this. Maybe hiring help wasn't a bad idea after all.

I finish packing my tool kit when I hear a car outside. Devin comes out of it wearing a light jean shirt and his usual dark blue jeans.

"Morning," I say as I open the door for him. He's freshly shaven and I have to restrain myself from touching his cheek.

"Hi! I didn't know what to wear as we never spoke about it. These are the most farm-like clothes I own,"

I'm happily surprised about his commitment and his idea. I've never matched my clothes to an event and only wore black. Not because it's stylish or anything, but because it hides dirt and stains while I'm working. Except pancake batter as proven a few days ago.

I walk to my sewing area, grab a spare red bandana and place it around his neck. His breath hitches a bit as I invade his personal space without permission. I then grab another bandana and walk to the hallway mirror. I place it on my hair and tie it.

"Now we match," I say as I turn around.

He gives me a smile. We gather the boxes with delicate decorations and entertainment materials I have piled and bring them to the service van. Yesterday he helped me already to bring the heavier decoration for which I'm triple grateful.

We drive to the venue and make chitchat about the weather. He doesn't say much about himself and I don't press him.

"We are styling the party and entertaining the kids today. Usually I decorate and return to break down. This time we stay through the whole event. You know already what the theme is and I can fill you in that it is for a one year old,"

"One? Didn't we make 30 treat bags?"

"I guess for this family the rule of child's age plus one child guest doesn't apply. Not only they invited the kids in their family, also the kids in daycare,"

"So it will be full of babies," Devin says while looking out of the window.

"Problem?" I ask and regret the harshness immediately.

"I'm only wondering how are we going to entertain them. Do we play endless peek-a-boo?"

The giggle erupts from my chest before I can stop it. Devin smiles at me, but soon enough it turns into laughter.

"We are here," I say as we reach a mansion.

"Woah! This place is gigantic!" he gazes at the premises through the windshield.

A man at the gate directs me to the side of the building to park the van. A company is busy setting up tables and chairs and the catering is setting up in a work tent.

Devin and I begin to unload the van. It amazes me to see how strong he is. While I can only carry one box, he piles a few without breaking into a sweat.

"Let's dress the tables first," I instruct him.

We cover each table with the tablecloths I made and set an aluminium pail in the center. The centerpiece is finished with long bags of popcorn wrapped in green tissue paper to make them look like corn on the cob. The rental company works together with us and finish each place setting with dinnerware.

I then arrange a few wooden boxes towards the side of the tables and Devin places heavy metal tins and cans on them. Later the catering will fill them with ice and drinks for the guests.

"Can you hand me the lanterns?" I ask Devin as I position a table under a tree.

He looks at the branch on top and nods. I climb on the table while he gathers what we need.

"I cut the ribbon to the right length. Just get it through the loop and I'll do the rest," I say.

Devin does it and hands me the lantern. I'm standing on my toes and as I stretch, the table wobbles.

"Get down, Tania. It isn't safe. Let's get a ladder," he says.

"Do you think I would be standing here if I had one?" I say irritated.

I always forget to bring one and figure it out too late. With difficulty, I put the ribbon around the branch and make a bow.

"Give me another," I move a step to the left and the table makes a creaking sound.

"You are giving me a heart attack! Get down!" he says.

"Nonsense," I stretch to place the next lantern and the table tilts.

The lantern falls from my hands and I have nowhere where I can hold myself. As I fall backwards, I feel arms under my boobs before hitting the ground. My heart races and I'm out of breath.

"We are getting a ladder!" Devin says roughly as he helps me to stand straight.

I stare at him wide eyed while he walks away. The people from the catering go back to work after seeing that I'm not hurt. Never in my years as a party stylist have I fell from a height. I gather the pieces of the broken lantern and lift the table. Devin comes back holding a ladder. He frowns as he opens it, then moves the table out of the way.

"Give me a lantern," he says harshly.

I hand the decorative piece to him and watch him climb. He loops it around the branch and makes a bow. I don't dare to speak and only keep handing him the stuff.

We then move the table back in place and finish dressing it with another tablecloth, more flowers and pails with candy.

"We have this area available for the games," I point at a small field. "And I have aprons to hold the supplies for the animal balloons,"

My voice comes out softer than normal. I think I'm still shaken by the fall and Devin's sudden authority.

"I'm sorry Tania. You are my boss and I shouldn't talk to you like that. I'm used to be the one giving instructions and my crew wasn't exactly the brightest,"

His apology and bit of personal information take me by surprise.

"It's okay. You warned me and I didn't listen. Thanks for keeping an eye out for me,"

Devin smiles and then it turns into a face splitting grin.

"What's so funny?" I ask as I fight to open a bag of balloons.

"I touched your boobs, but you can't accuse me of sexual harassment. I saved your life,"

I laugh while attacking him with the bag of balloons. It wasn't on purpose but I can't deny that I didn't dislike it. It's been too long.