Sink or Swim

Chapter 6 - Did The Earth Move for You?

The McIntrye building is located in down town Los Angeles somewhere between the Civic Centre and Bunker Hill regions. It is 24 stories high and like almost all tall buildings in the L.A. area follows a feature of a flat roof,  the result of a 1974 fire ordinance which required all tall buildings in the city to include rooftop helipads in response to the devastating Joelma Fire in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in which helicopters were used to affect rescues from the flat rooftop of the building.

Jessica and Jo arrived at the building by 9:00am and by lunchtime felt famished. They made their way to Breadlam located on 826 East 3rd Street for a quick sandwich before returning to the office.

"There is so much choice of food" said Jo, as she and Jessica made their way through the huge revolving doors of the building. "What are you doing this afternoon?"

Jessica responded, "I'm going to be working with Paul all afternoon. He told me that he would love some feedback from a new swimming pool complex they are designing and being part of a swim team he wants some opinion on if it will work for competition as well as leisure. They apparently have to fit an Olympic pool into a centre that really cannot accommodate the size. To be honest I'm sure they have people who can do this stuff already. I think Paul is try to keep me entertained!"

Jo gave a laugh, "Well, I'm going to be with Aaron for a couple of hours and I'm getting off early! I'll get a lift from him back the The Palms so you can bring back the car. Technically, being 17 I'm not even allowed to drive in L.A on a UK licence - I need to be 18."

Both girls laughed and jumped in the lift that had just arrived in the lobby. Jo hopped out at the 15th floor and Jessica continued to the top floor where Paul's office was located. The higher the lift rose through the building the fewer the people crammed inside.

By time the lift reached the 24th floor and final stop Jessica was alone inside. The doors opened with a ping and Jessica exited into the plush executive floor. Paul's PA acknowledged Jessica and hopped into the lift and the doors closed. The space on the level was amazing and it was deathly quiet.  The carpet felt soft under her feet as Jessica made her way to two large double doors. They opened automatically as she reached them and she saw Paul MacIntrye sitting at his desk looking rather casually dressed for the magnificent executive office in which they were located.

"Hi Jessica," he stood as she entered the room. He was wearing chinos and a grey hooded sweatshirt, "I like to keep it casual - I'm not a suit kind of guy I'm afraid - guess that is what happens when you work for a sports company!" 

Jessica broke out in a smile. 

"Can I get you anything?" Paul asked casually, "Drinks? Food?"

"I'm fine thanks. Just had lunch," Jessica replied, her stomach churned as they got closer and their eyes met. She look down shyly and felt her cheeks starting to burn.

"I'm sorry to get you up here like this but to be honest I don't really have much work on this afternoon! I needed some company and, well, kind of thought of you." Paul said the words without thinking. "Ooo - this is awkward!" he muttered realising his mistake.

Jessica blushed some more happy at hearing Paul wanted to spend sometime with her. "It's not really awkward," she replied back a little too quickly, "I'd love to spend sometime with you!"

There was a clear attraction between the pair and the statements they had just made simply confirmed the obvious. For a few moments the awkward silence continued, neither Paul or Jessica knew what to say. "Come and look at this view - the L.A. skyline is great at this time of year." Paul said suddenly, breaking the silence having found some distracting words.

Jessica walked over to the large panel glass window and stood next to Paul. He pointed out some of the  surrounding buildings and places of interest, including The Staples Centre and Dodgers Stadium. They walked around the floor together alone talking about L.A. and how different it was to London.