I flipped a few pages. “Where are all the Black people?” I shouted.
“I told you there weren’t many.” Peggy replied. I heard water running, so I assumed the she was in the bathroom. Then she reemerged from the bedroom, bare legged. From where I was seated, it appeared that she had taken off her bra as well. “You want a drink, Tavarus?”
“What do you have?”
“Citron okay? It’ll have to be; it’s all I have.”
“I guess it will have to be. But just a small one; I still have a long ride ahead of me.” I closed the yearbooks and placed th
em on the table. I stood up and walked toward the kitchen. Peggy came out carrying the bottle and two glasses. She handed me a glass and then took a step closer. “What should we drink to?”
“I don’t know, anything; so long as it doesn’t involve Brent or anything work related,” I replied, stepping toward Peggy almost out of instinct.
“Let’s drink to this evening. I had a really nice time tonight.”
“I’ll drink to that. I enjoyed the evening, too. We have to hang out again.”
“Do you mean that?” Peggy said, almost in disbelief. “You want to hang out with me?”
“Yeah, you can show me all the hot spots in Buckhead.”
“I never got the impression that you liked me very much.”
“Why, because I’m not all over you like everybody else?”
“No, actually I appreciate you not being all over me. I think it’s inappropriate for a work environment. There I go talking about work. Anyway, here’s to tonight. I enjoyed your company.”
We toasted our evening and emptied our glasses. I leaned forward to put my glass on the bar just as Peggy reached for the bottle to refill the glasses. Her breasts brushed softly against my chest, ending all speculation about the bra.
“I mean that, Tavarus; I like the way you carry yourself. Strictly business,” she said, taking the liberty of refilling my glass. “I watch the way you handle yourself. The way you dress. The way you walk. It’s very sexy.” Peggy handed me my glass and stepped to my chest again. She exhaled. I felt her nipples brush my chest.
“I didn’t know you watched me that closely,” I replied, trying to sound unimpressed, but failing.
“That’s because you don’t pay me any attention.”
“You’re wrong. I notice quite a bit about you, Peggy.” My eyes met hers, and then dropped to her cleavage. She followed my eyes. Peggy touched my face and she kissed me. It caught me off guard at first.
Slowly I warmed to the task, putting my body into the kiss. Then I pulled away abruptly. I finished my drink and began to straighten my jacket.
“You’re not getting ready to leave, are you?”
“Yeah,” I said slowly and reluctantly. “I better go before we do something I know at least one of us will regret in the morning.”
“How do you know you’ll regret it?” Peggy asked, following me to the door.
I stopped and faced her. I put my hands on her shoulders to stop her advance. “Look, Peggy, I like you. I had a good time with you tonight. And if I was in a different state of mind . . . I don’t know.” I paused and looked at Peggy again. “Yes I do, if I was in a different state of mind we’d be naked now.”
“I understand.” Peggy opened the door.
“Good night, Peggy. See you in the morning.”
“Tavarus, thanks. I know both of us would have regretted it in the morning. But when you’re in a different state of mind, call me, okay?”
“I just might.” I left the apartment and Peggy closed the door behind me. I walked quickly to my car, got in, and started the engine. I paused before pulling away to reflect. I can’t believe Peggy just set it out for me and I passed on it, I thought. However, as I drove home, I was sure I did the right thing.
Chapter Twenty-two
Zack