This is by far the longest story I've ever written and therefore the greatest challenge I've ever given my editor 'larryinseattle' yet as always he's taken a rough stone and turned it into a gem.
*****
"Shit, shit, shit," Kevin muttered, exasperated, as he realized that the project he'd been working on for over an hour still wasn't going to work. His professor had warned everyone in the class that the project would take some 'creative thinking' but no matter what he tried he still couldn't figure it out. Frustrated, he stared at the paperwork and computations, not even hearing the waitress until she was standing next to his table.
"Is there something wrong, sir?"
"
NO!!
Just leave me alo...," he began to say, taking out his frustrations on her, until he looked up into the most brilliant pair of blue eyes he'd ever seen.
"I ... mmmmm ... no ... I mean, yes ... actually I'm not sure what I mean," he stuttered and then laughed. "I've been working on this project for a week and I just can't find the answer. Anyway, I'm really sorry for blowing up at you, it's not your fault. It's just that it's worth 40% of my grade and it's due tomorrow."
The woman stared at him for a few seconds before asking, "Which class?"
"The Masters Program for Planning and Architecture."
"Professor Jensen or Doctor Abrams?"
"Abrams," he answered, intrigued that she'd know the name of both the instructors.
"Let me take a look," she said as she moved closer.
The world around him seemed to shrink until the only thing left was her, as he felt her body lightly brush against his.
"Who is she?"
he asked himself.
As if hearing his question, she extended her hand to introduce herself. "Hi, I'm Tanya."
"Kevin."
"So, you're an architecture student?"
"Yes and no. My family owns a construction business and my dad thought this class would be a good idea."
"Your dad decided?" she asked, just the slightest hint of curiosity and intrigue hidden in the question.
"Yeah, my dad," he replied, defensively.
The corners of her mouth quickly lifted in a smile. "I'm glad I'm not the only one."
The questioning look on his face was all she needed to continue, "My mom helps me decide which classes I should take."
"Ahhhhh, so what's your major?" he asked, totally forgetting the project in front of him.
"Urban Planning with a minor in Structural Design."
"Wow, that's a pretty heavy load."
"It can be but I'm doing okay. Now what's the problem you're working on?"
Brought back to the present by her comment, he looked back down at the paperwork spread across the table in front of him and started explaining. "I have three historic buildings that need to be moved from their present location and put onto a new plot of land. I have a limited budget and only a few weeks to complete the proposed move or the buildings will be destroyed. My problem is that no matter which building I start with there's never enough space to have all the building fit onto the new lot and still meet building codes."
"I've seen a couple of people in here this week puzzling this one out," she said, a impish glimmer in her eyes. "Are you a Star Trek fan by any chance?"
"Isn't just about everyone?"
"So you know about the 'Kobayashi Maru' scenario?"
"You mean the 'no-win' scenario?"
"Yep, yet Kirk won, didn't he?"
"Well yeah. He changed the programming of the scenario."
"A better way is to think that he went
outside the box
," she replied, stressing the last three words.
"Outside the box," he repeated as he looked at the drawings. Suddenly, he began to rummage through the stacks and stacks of papers in front of him until he found the original paperwork from the class. Looking closer, he saw the answer to his problem right in front of him. He quickly scribbled down some notes before looking to thank Tanya but she had already left and was taking care of people at another table.
Two hours later, he was done. He'd calculated the cost to move the buildings from their original location to the new site and deducted that from his budget. The remaining money was just enough to buy a small lot adjoining the original property that provided the additional space needed for all three buildings. "Yesssssssss," he whispered in triumph as he picked up all his papers and slid them into his backpack. Then, finishing his coffee, he headed out but stopped just before reaching the door, thinking of something he'd almost forgotten. He spun on his heels and almost knocked her over because she was so close behind him. "Thanks Tanya."
"No problem. Come back if you need any more help," she replied.
He returned three days later, the paper she'd helped him with in his hand. "We did it!!" he exclaimed when she saw her. "Doctor Abrams even used it as an example of how you need to be flexible even in such rigid sciences as math and Architecture," he babbled as he swept her up in his arms and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.
She felt what was coming and shifted just slightly so when his lips came down they landed on hers. The feeling startled both of them yet neither pulled away. When their kiss finally broke, the coffee shop had become silent, whether from the sight of them kissing, the intensity of the kiss, or maybe how long they had stood there in the embrace, neither knew.
When she slowly pulled away, she sighed breathlessly, "I'm glad to hear that. Now let me get back to work before the whole world starts to stare at us."
Reluctantly, he released her.
She turned and took two steps before looking back over her shoulder at him. "If you want to walk me to my apartment after work, be here at 8 o'clock."
And so began their friendship. In the beginning, he'd stop by to talk and ask her for help every couple of days but soon he was stopping by almost daily. He'd walk her to her apartment and they'd talk about everything; classes, their plans for the future, their past, and their families. Sometimes he'd come upstairs and they'd cuddle and kiss while watching TV but nothing more than that until about 4 months after they'd met.
That evening was warm and "Spring" was in the air. The delicate aroma of flowers and tree blossoms was everywhere.
"So do you want to come upstairs for a few minutes?" she asked.
"Sure."
Entering the building, they quickly took the stairs two at a time until they stood at her doorway. Surprisingly, she seemed nervous and fumbled getting the key in the lock.
"Let me help," he said as he gently took the keys from her and unlocked the door. The moment he opened it, he 'felt' something different. There was something he just couldn't put his finger on and it was causing a shiver to run up and down his back.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, just ... I don't know ..."
"Well, I need to pee and get out of this uniform," she chuckled. "Some guy knocked into me just before you got there tonight and I spilled coffee ... and well, let's just say I'm not very comfortable right now," she continued.
Maybe it was the 'something different' or maybe it was the Springtime air but when she slid past him, his senses went into overload. He could feel the warmth of her body as it brushed against him and the lingering smell of coffee. Her golden-blonde hair seemed almost blinding even in the dim light filtering through her windows and the 'click, click, click' of the mid-height heels that her boss demanded as part of her uniform sent tremors through him like vibrations after a clap of thunder.
She immediately went into the bathroom, leaving the door open just a crack so they could talk. "So anything new with your classes?"
"Nah. Same old, same old. I'm pulling 'A's and B's' in all my major classes and the rest I'm pretty much done with. In fact, I finished the 3D project we talked about last night after I left here."
"That's great. That means you'll have some time to help me with a project of mine."