[chapter three]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is
mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
**
Robby laughed as he took another sip of his tea, imagining Alexa telling off a fellow student, as she had just related in a story she told him as they sat over lunch.
"Sounds like you had the situation in hand. You like workin' with all those guys?" Robby asked curiously.
"Nature of the beast - get into mechanics or racing, and there are going to be a few guys, ya know?" Alexa answered with a grin. "I don't mind though…I can hold my own."
"I bet." Robby said appreciatively and Alexa lowered her eyes shyly. "What are you going to do when you are done with school?"
"I'm not sure…I've applied to intern at a bunch of shops this summer. I would love to work for one of the larger teams, but any experience would be invaluable, so I'll take whatever comes my way." Alexa replied.
"You apply to RCR?" Robby asked, his eyes lighting up.
"Nah…they're a terrible team." Alexa teased with a smile. "Of course I applied there. I should be hearing back from all the teams shortly. Fingers crossed."
"I could ask around the shop and find out, pull a few strings…" Robby offered, his eyes meeting hers.
She smiled softly. "Thanks, but…I want to get an internship because I'm good and because I deserve it, not because of a favor. But I really appreciate the offer." Alexa paused. "And in a few weeks, I might regret saying that." She added.
Robby laughed and shrugged his shoulders. "I understand. I do." He shifted in his seat and eyed Alexa again. "Now listen, when you finally get this thesis written, I wanna read it. Especially if I have a starring role." He grinned teasingly.
Alexa laughed and shook her head. "No, you don't. It's extremely boring and verbose. Except for the parts about you, of course." She smiled.
"Seriously. Send me a copy." Robby reiterated.
"Even if it's seven years from now?" Alexa groaned.
"Even if."
Alexa glanced down at the watch on her wrist and squeaked. "Oh my goodness. I've kept you sitting her for over two hours!" She said, her eyes wide with horror.
"You haven't kept me anywhere I don't want to be." Robby answered steadily, his eyes burning into hers.
Alexa lowered her eyes, a blush creeping across her cheeks. "Still…I should let you go…" She trailed off, meeting his gaze again with a shy smile.
"Listen…if you need any more information, or anything…" Robby trailed off, unsure how to say what he wanted to say.
Unsure how to say how badly he'd like to see her again - schoolwork or no.
Alexa nodded. "I really appreciate that. Thank you." She said, sliding her wallet out and laying down a tip for both of them before snagging the check.
Robby lay a hand on her wrist to still her movements. "I'll get that."
"Don't worry…I'll put it on my expense account as 'research'." Alexa smiled as they stood up.
Robby laughed and nodded. "I'll treat next time." He said softly.
She looked up at him questioningly but said nothing.
"Alexa, can I ask you a personal question?"
"Sure." She nodded.
"How would…" Robby cut off his original question. "How old are you?"
Alexa grinned, surprised by his 'personal' question. "24. Want me to ask how old you are?" She teased.
"No. Definitely no."