[chapter two]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
**
Robby stared at the memo sheet in his hands again.
Alexa Carmichael - called 2:52pm
Requested interview with you re: stress tests in open wheel versus stock car racing
Please return call: evening
number: 555 2321
Daytime number: 555 1540
Glancing at the clock hanging over his stove and noting that it was almost 6:30pm, Robby picked up his telephone and dialed the "evening" number listed.
"Cave. Who do you want?" A male voice asked in a happy sounding voice.
"Uh…I'm not sure I have the right number." Robby said, confused. "Is Alexa Carmichael there?"
"Sure, one sec." Robby grinned as he heard the man yell, despite trying to muffle the phone. "Hey Carmichael! There's a guy wantin' to hit on ya on the phone!"
"Lick it, Perkins." Robby could hear her voice approach the phone and after a moment's pause, her voice came on the line. "Jeez, Roger, I said I would be home by 7. Keep your panties on."
"Uh…" Robby stammered, unsure what to say.
"Roger? Uh, hello?" Alexa asked, her voice suddenly softer, embarrassed. "Who's this, please?"
"Alexa? This is Robby Gordon." Robby finally managed to say with a grin.
He could hear a faint gasp on the other end of the line. "Mr. Gor-Robby, hi. Thank you for returning my call so quickly."
"No problem. What's the Cave, and who's Roger?" He couldn't resist asking in a teasing tone.
"Um…Cave is our graduate computer lab, usually overrun by rude college boys. Roger is my high strung roommate." Alexa said and Robby swore he could hear her blush through the phone line.
"Panties?" He asked inappropriately.
"Drag queen." Alexa said, finally taking control of her voice again.
Robby laughed out loud for a moment, the small knot in his stomach unclenching. Why, exactly, he had a nervous knot at the thought of a male roommate or a group of graduate guys around Alexa, he wasn't exactly sure.
"I'm sorry…I'm…you caught me a bit off guard." Alexa said, suddenly sounding professional again. "I was hoping to set up a phone interview with you, at your convenience of course, so I could ask you a few questions."
Robby nodded, though she couldn't see him. "Sure thing. I'm in town until Thursday morning…but I suck on the phone. How about a lunchtime interview?" He asked boldly.
He could hear Alexa pause for a moment and winced, worrying that he had somehow been too forward.
Or shouldn't have told her he sucks.
"Are you sure I wouldn't be taking up too much of your time?"
"A guy's gotta eat, right?" Robby smiled. "How about tomorrow for lunch? Around 12?"
"Uh…I guess…I…" Alexa began, before her voice became forceful, professional again. "That would be wonderful. Thank you so much, Mr. Gor-Robby."
After making arrangements to meet at a local Charlotte eatery, Robby hung up, pleased with himself.
And pleased that he would be seeing
those crystalline eyes again.