Somewhere between Sunset

Five ~ Borrowed Book

October, 2009
South Carolina

Robin Group Holdings

It was after lunch as everyone started to get back to their workstations within different departments separated by low wall partitions, glass walls and dry walls. Kelsea, on the other hand, was hauling another bulk of drawing blueprints, wrapping her arms around them to make sure they don't fall or at least she doesn't trip.

"Darn it, they're heavy and they smell..." She blurted as another work colleague walked beside her. It was Ryder, their in-house design engineer.

"I hope you're not referring to me, so you know I showered today." He teased as he grabbed at least half of the bulk of blueprint drawings from her arms immediately.

"Uhm, thank you Ryder, you shouldn't have. I got it." She responded.

"I don't want you to strain your arms. A smile and a coffee date would be more than enough. You still owe me one for staying late at one of our project inspections." He added while trying to give her his best version of a smirk.

Eww, as if. It's not as half as good as Briggs. Why do I have think about him? As she brushed of the thought of her dating weekend marathon. She just tried to think of a better alibi than a no to say to her colleague before anyone notices them and they become the gossip of the week in the whole office, again.

It became an one of office inside joke how she have been rejecting him since day one. Ryder seems to be just cool about it and taking each rejection as a challenge to never give up on asking her.

"Oh, about that, well I hate to say this but I've been really busy lately. There's a few projects lined up in the design department that I have to assist Jordan with and I still have my upcoming state test to prepare for." She explained adding a bit of the smile he asked for.

"Wow, you're really serious with that? You'll make history as the youngest in the state if you ever passed and I hope you do. Most architects I've known and met are in their late 20s probably 30s." He exclaimed sounding very impressed by her.

"Well, I do not want to get in the way of your busy schedule and dreams, for now. But I hope when you get a chance, call me, text me.. you know my number." Ryder smiled with wink as he placed the stack of blueprints on her desk and left.

"What's Ryder doing here just now? Is he trying to asked you out again for like the 10th time? I'm keeping track of how many times you have turned him down? Though I'm amazed about his perseverance and optimism." Janet chuckled sarcastically.

"Yeah, well he's okay. I'm just really busy and like I said to him, I wanted to take the state test to get my architect's state license this coming January. I know it's a risk but I think I got a good chance." Kelsea explained.

"I mean it's Ryder. You can always get someone 10 times better?! Especially when you become a licensed architect! You could end up dating one of your billionaire clients! Dream big." Janet exclaimed enthusiastically.

"What's with you and your billionaire dreams? You're hooked again on those romance novels you like to read, which one is it now?" Kelsea teased back at her colleague.

"As of the moment, I'm into hot Italian mafia boss." Janet winked as she whispered to her the book title followed by a giggle before she focus back at her work.

I need to get a copy of that book without spending a dime. The latest copy if I can to ace this. Kelsea muttered to herself as she remembered a structural book that's been missing on her list of study materials that she needed to prepare for her upcoming state test.