Chapter 2: First date
Monday, February 14, 2000
Brian knocked on the Mendon's door. This was his first visit since being invited to supper with the family.
"Brian, you look nice!" Mary exclaimed when she saw him. "Are you going to a party?"
"Yes, it's at my manager's house. I just stopped by to give my favorite girl a valentine gift," he said, holding the small heart-shaped box for Mary to see.
"She's already in bed, Brian. She'll be thrilled when I tell her it's from you."
He handed her the small box, waved at Harry, and was at the door when he heard Peggy's voice.
"Do you have a date for the party?"
He turned to see her standing at the entrance to the kitchen. She was wearing her standard dress, jeans, sneakers and a sweatshirt.
"No," he said, considering explaining that he'd looked over the crop of eligible co-workers, and decided he didn't want to become involved with any of them. But he didn't explain, letting his simple 'no' answer stand alone.
"Do you need one?"
'Need one?' What was she asking? 'Need one,' was such a nebulous question.
"Brian, do you need a date?"
"Ah, are you...are you offering to be my date?"
"Only if you need one."
"I do, I mean it would send the right message if I showed up at my manager's house with...are you really offering?"
"Give me fifteen minutes," she said as she disappeared down the hallway.
Brian removed his coat and took a seat next to Harry. Mary sat across from them.
"Doesn't Brian look nice, Harry? The red sweater suits you, and the tie makes you look like a college student."
"Thanks, Mary."
She cupped her hand to one side of her mouth, whispering, "I knew you were going to a party as soon as I saw you. That's why I said it loud enough for Margaret to hear me."
Brian didn't know what to say. He looked from Mary to Harry. They were both smiling at him, knowingly.
Brian jumped to his feet the second Peggy entered the room. His heart skipped a beat when he saw her. This was the first time he'd seen her wear a dress, and high heels. The dress was red, below the knees, but cut low at her bust line. A string of white pearls adorned her neck. Her shoes and stockings matched her dark hair.
"Are you ready to go?" she asked, sounding impatient.
Brian helped her with her coat, and said goodnight to Mary and Harry.
Outside, Peggy took one look at his truck, and suggested that they take her car. "You can drive," she said, handing him the keys. The car was a late model Camry, light green in color. He held the door open for her, and ran around to the driver's side.
"It was a replacement for Matthew's car. Since it was ruled an accident, the insurance company had no option but to give me a new car," she explained.
"It's nice," he said, easing the car into gear.
"Don't jump to the wrong impression. We're business partners. If you can't call upon your partner when you need a date, who can you rely on?"
"Exactly! You're right," he agreed, as he turned onto the road.
"Why didn't you say you needed a date?"
"This came up all of a sudden. I haven't seen you."
"You could have left a note. I'm at your house nearly every day."
Her nagging was becoming irritating. "I was thinking of taking one of the girls from work until I looked around and decided against it."
"Don't do that. It could cause trouble for you. Just give me more warning next time. That's all I'm saying."
His head was swimming. "Okay." That's all he could think of to say.
"Fill me in on who's going to be there."
He described the host, although he didn't know very much about his manager, such as his wife's name or how many children he had. He named the vice presidents that could be there, and the names of his co-workers that were sure to attend.
"How are you going to introduce me?"
"Huh?"
"I don't think it's a good idea for you to tell your boss that I'm your business partner. He might not approve of your having outside interests."
"Good point," Brian agreed. "I'll say you're my friend."
"You can do better that that. Remember, I've seen you in your underwear."
He looked her way. Was she smiling? "What if I say you are my good friend?"
"That's better, but do good friends of the opposite sex go into their friend's bedroom to tuck them in? I don't think so."
He knew that she was teasing him, but he wanted to see where this was going. "I know, I'll say you're my girlfriend's mom."
Peggy actually howled for a second before hitting a serious tone. "We both know that if she were eighteen years older you would prefer to take her."
Brian wondered if she knew how accurate her statement was, something he wanted to deflect. "I could introduce you as my girlfriend."
"That might work, but it would mean that I will have to play the part," she said, sounding pensive.
"How do you mean?"
"You know, hold your hand, and follow you around like a lovesick puppy."
"You'll need to look longingly into my eyes, and dance close."
They were talking tongue-in-cheek, merely having fun, but Brian felt an undercurrent. "I'll call you 'darling' and boast to the wives that you're good in bed," she said, clearly having trouble maintaining a straight face.
"Good in bed? You can do better than that. How about describing me as the best you've ever had, regardless of which room we're in?"
"Let's not carry this too far. You'll have every female in your office hitting on you tomorrow."
"I don't think so. Remember, I'm soured on all women. That's the image I've projected since I started work."
"I want to hear more about that," she said, but stopped talking when she saw that they had reached the party.
Brian saw a side of Peggy that night that he had no idea existed. She played the part of his girlfriend perfectly, leaning in to whisper in his ear, looking adoringly at him, and paying an extraordinary amount of attention to everything he said.
Although he enjoyed himself, he thought, at times, that she was carrying the girlfriend act to extreme. He couldn't help but be reminded that she was his business partner, and who could you depend upon if you didn't rely on your partner?
The party took on a different nature when couples began to arrive late. Some of the younger guys had taken their dates for a romantic dinner before making the obligatory appearance at their manager's party.
"We haven't danced yet," Peggy whispered, cooing into Brian's ear.
The dance floor, one room that had its furniture removed, was crowded with late arrivals. They were using the crowded room as an excuse to dance close. Peggy was no exception. She tucked her forehead next to Brian's chin, and didn't complain when his hand slipped down to her ass. If she felt his hard on stabbing her tummy she didn't let on. As the song ended, he felt her lips brush his cheek.
It was getting late. Some of the guests were leaving the party.
"Let's dance one more," she suggested. How could he refuse her?
There were less people dancing, but Peggy remained close. For someone who was soured on all men, she was certainly making an exception. For someone who was acting the part of his girlfriend, she was very convincing.
'That was fun," she said when they were on their way home.
"Thanks for being my date. Who goes stag to a valentine party?"
"True, but I'm sure you wouldn't have left alone. I saw several of the single girls eyeing you."
"That was because you were with me. They've never shown any interest in me at work."
"Spread the word that we've broken up. I'll bet that little redhead will be all over you tomorrow."
"Ginger? I don't think so. Anyway, what happens when I need you to be my date at another company function?"
"Simple, we'll make up."
Brian didn't commit to spreading the word that he and Peggy had broken up, and she didn't press the issue. He walked her to her door. She told him again that she'd had a good time, and for an instant, he had the impression that she would not object if he kissed her.
But he didn't want a repeat of what had happened in his bedroom. He didn't need another lecture about them only being business partners.
He gave her back the keys to her car, and left.
~ They seldom saw one another, but once he suggested that they transfer the cash balance from the accounting paper to a spreadsheet on his notebook computer, Peggy found another use for it. It became their means of communication.
{Block} March 9, 2000 Brian,
Dad called to say he'd heard of a toy store going out of business. I gave him the okay to spend up to two thousand dollars. I hope you approve. Should I have phoned you at work?
Peg
P.S. Have you considered securing the barn?
{/Block}
{Block} March 9, 2000 Peggy
I see by the bulging inventory in the barn that Harry made some good decisions. I'll work on the barn on Saturday.
You were right in not calling me at work. Every call is logged, and girlfriend's calls are frowned on. (Just kidding)
Please use your best judgment when future opportunities arise.
