Minutes later, Quincy and Ramona led Jackson, Audra, Peyton, Darius, and Ms. Helen to an available table near the center of the gym-turned-banquet-hall.
Darius sat between Ms. Helen and Peyton. As it often did, the conversation among the seven friends hopped across different topics: Quincy’s first semester at Penn, Peyton’s first semester with Trinity Falls University, Ramona’s final days in the mayor’s office, Jackson’s renovation of Harmony Cabins, Audra’s latest songwriting contract, and Ms. Helen’s progress on her memoirs.
“I still haven’t found anyone to work on it with me.” Ms. Helen sliced into the teriyaki chicken breast.
Darius forked up the seasoned rice. “I don’t understand why you won’t let me work with you on your memoirs. I wouldn’t charge you.”
“That’s one of the reasons. I don’t want this project to be a favor. I want to handle it professionally.” Ms. Helen bit into the well-seasoned chicken.
Darius shrugged. “If you insist on paying me, I won’t say no.”
Ms. Helen slipped him a smile. “Let me think it over.”
Ramona plucked a broccoli spear from her plate. “I think you don’t want us to help because your memoirs are chock-full of steamy relationships. Am I right?”
Ms. Helen slid a look at Ramona. “You’ll have to buy the book to find out.”
Laughter rolled around the table before the conversation resumed.
“I’m looking forward to the end of my term.” Ramona refilled her water glass. “Don’t get me wrong. I’ve enjoyed being Trinity Falls’ mayor. But I’ll be glad when Quincy and I are once again living in the same city. Long-distance relationships suck.”
Love softened the mayor’s classic beauty. But Quincy’s expression seemed strained. Was he still stressing over Ramona’s reaction to living in Philadelphia? With a mental shake of his head, Darius returned to his meal.
The banquet’s agenda included speeches from university administrators, praising the professor and thanking him for his decades of dedication to the institution and its students. Kenneth ended the evening with a brief but moving profession of his love for the university, its students, faculty, staff, and Trinity Falls.
“I believe in Trinity Falls and in Trinity Falls University.” Kenneth cleared his throat and sipped some water before continuing. His voice was thick with emotion. “They were both founded on a simple principle: equality of opportunity makes a community strong. And as each community goes, so goes the nation.”
Kenneth waited for the applause to end before continuing. “It’s been my privilege to be a member of the university and of the town. I’m proud of my contributions to both and of the person into whom these experiences have molded me. God bless you all.”
The retiring professor earned a standing ovation. Darius glanced at Peyton to find her wiping tears from her eyes. He was close to tears himself.
Moments after the banquet officially ended, Ms. Helen leaned past Darius to question Peyton. “Do you have a ride home, dear?”
“Yes, thank you.” Peyton nodded across the table. “I came with Jackson and Audra.”
“Oh no, dear.” Ms. Helen’s eyes widened. “Since it’s so late, you should let Darius drive you home. Your apartment is a bit out of the way for Jackson and Audra. Darius is closer. I can ride back with Quincy and Ramona.”
“Ms. Helen, you’re not riding home with Quincy and Ramona. You’re going to leave with the one you came with.” Darius leveled the elderly woman a look. Had she joined the Darius-Needs-a-Girlfriend Bandwagon? He stood from the table and assisted Ms. Helen from her chair.
The older woman reached up and patted Darius’s upper arm. “It’s too much trouble for you to drop off multiple people.”
Why hadn’t she considered that before she’d volunteered him to drive Peyton home—not that he minded. He’d considered making the offer himself.
“No, it’s not. I’ll take you home first.” Darius pulled her small hand into the crook of his arm to escort her from the gym. “Then I’ll drive Peyton home.”
After wishing their friends a good evening and collecting their coats, Darius escorted Ms. Helen and Peyton to the parking lot. Ms. Helen insisted on sitting in the backseat of Darius’s black Nissan Maxima, leaving Peyton with the front passenger seat. He closed and locked the car’s doors, trapping Peyton’s talcum powder and lily-of-the-valley fragrance inside.
The first stop was Ms. Helen’s home, where Darius escorted her to her door and saw her safely inside. Then he climbed back into his car and pointed his Maxima in the direction of Peyton’s apartment building.
Peyton shifted on her seat to face him as he pulled away from the curb. “You’ve had two weeks to think it over, Darius. Will you cochair the community center’s fund-raising committee with me, or will I have to get tough with you?”
CHAPTER 12
Had she really said that? Peyton tensed in her seat. What had gotten into her? She opened her mouth to apologize, but Darius’s response stopped her.
“That threat would be funny if the memory of you frog-marching me out of your office back in
August wasn’t still fresh on my mind.”