“Now, can we just enjoy the ambience?” Malik asked.
Peyton smiled. “That sounds great.”
They whiled away the rest of the afternoon sipping their coffee and talking politics, food, movies and music. They discovered a common love of democracy, sushi, sweets, dramas and jazz.
It was nearly evening when Malik walked Peyton to her office. She’d left several books that she needed for her next article. Peyton explained that the head of the Metropolitan Studies department expected the department’s professors to have articles published in the education journals each year, so Peyton had to get cracking.
“Well, I have to admit I enjoyed the afternoon, Malik Williams.” Peyton extended her hand when they made it to the building.
“So did I.” Malik brushed his lips across Peyton’s hand. She’d let her defenses down long enough for him to see a different side of her. “And I look forward to seeing you at the center.” He gave her a broad smile before walking away.
Peyton started towards the entrance but couldn’t resist looking back. When she did, Malik waved at her before crossing the street. He had definitely captured her interest. The question was, what was she going to do about it?
Chapter 3
When Quentin called him later during the week Malik said, “Hey, Q, what’s up?”
“Two things, actually,” Quentin began. “I spoke with a friend of mine at Manhattan Weekly, and he would like to do a feature on you for the newspaper. You know, showcase the center and hopefully drum up some support. And if that doesn’t work—”
“Then what?” Malik asked. “What aren’t you saying, Q?”
“Well…last week, you mentioned that you needed a corporate sponsor to contribute a donation solely to the Harlem center.”
“Do you have someone in mind?”
“I do, and he’d like to meet with you over lunch on Monday, if you’re interested?”
“Of course I’d be interested.” Malik would jump at the chance to discuss a corporate contribution for renovating the center and updating their technology.
“Great, I’ll see you then.”
When Malik hung up the phone, he realized Quentin hadn’t told him who the meeting was with. Malik shrugged it off. Anyone who would contribute to the center was okay in his book.
“So, how’s the background check coming on our volunteers?” Malik asked, walking into Theresa’s office.
“Good. None of the students have any records.”
“And Ms. Sawyer?” Malik inquired.
“What do you want to know?” Theresa asked, raising a brow.
“I don’t know. Was there anything interesting?” Malik was curious about what was beneath that cool surface.
“Nope, not a thing,” Theresa lied. There was something. On the central registry check, Peyton indicated a maiden name, which meant she was probably divorced, but Theresa wasn’t going to tell Malik, because he’d just get in his own way. Better to let him find out on his own.
“Glad to hear it,” Malik said. Peyton was a vibrant woman that he was not only attracted to but actually liked. She not only shared his passion for helping others, but championed it. He’d been waiting all his life for a woman that shared his convictions. Was it possible that he’d found her?
Peyton was working on her next lecture when she heard a knock on her office door. She looked up and found Kendra standing in her doorway. “Kendra! Hi.” Peyton smiled and motioned her forward. “C’mon on in and have a seat.”
“Thank you, Dr. Sawyer.” Kendra sat down in the chair across from her and dropped her knapsack.
“What brings you by?” Peyton inquired. It wasn’t unusual for students to stop in during her office hours for advice on what classes to take or just to talk about college life. But Peyton suspected there was more to Kendra’s visit.
“Well…” Kendra lowered her head. “It doesn’t look like I’m going to be able to volunteer.”
“Why not?” Peyton asked. “The volunteer coordinator indicated it wouldn’t be a problem for you to leave your daughter in day care.”
“I know, but my boyfriend is very upset. He doesn’t like the fact that I’m spending all this time in class; and if I volunteered, there wouldn’t be any time for him.”
Peyton took a deep breath. “I have to ask, Kendra, what is more important to you? Spending time with your boyfriend or getting a quality education?” Peyton took off her reading glasses. “Volunteering and understanding the needs of a community are vital if you want to go into this field.”
“School, of course,” Kendra answered, insulted. “I already had to take a semester off to have Tamara, and I’m back now. Omar takes care of us.”
“Kendra, there are a lot of options and programs available to you as a single parent. You don’t have to rely solely on your boyfriend.”
“That’s easy for you to say, Professor Sawyer. Not so easy when you have to feed an six-month-old.”
“Perhaps I could talk to him on your behalf,” Peyton offered. Although, she’d only been to a few lectures, Peyton saw promise in Kendra. During class, she was quick to speak up and offer her opinions and ideas.
“You would do that?” Kendra was surprised.
A knock sounded on Peyton’s door before she could respond. Amber waved to her from the door. “Excuse me, Kendra,” Peyton apologized and glanced up. “Amber, give me a few minutes okay?”
“Sure.” Amber eyed her suspiciously before walking away.
“Of course I would help,” Peyton said, finally answering Kendra’s question. “I want you to succeed. So, if you’d like bring him by. We can all talk and maybe come up with a solution that would work for everyone. How does that sound?”
“I guess it’s worth a try,” Kendra said, picking her knapsack off the floor. “But I warn you, Professor Sawyer, Omar can be somewhat of a jerk.”
“He wouldn’t be the first I’ve encountered,” Peyton replied, rising from her chair. She walked Kendra to the door and poked her head out looking for Amber. She found her leaning up against the wall.
“You ready?” Amber asked.
“Give me a sec to get my purse.” Peyton rushed inside her office and pulled her purse out of the desk drawer and slung it over her shoulder. “I’m ready,” she said seconds later.
They left the building and went over to the faculty dining hall. Amber waited until they’d ordered summer salads before homing in on Peyton.
“Peyton, Peyton, Peyton,” Amber shook her head. “You have to learn not to get so involved in your students’ affairs.”
Peyton’s mouth curled into a grimace. “What do you mean? I was only trying to help.”
“It’s just not a good idea,” Amber replied, “to get so personally involved.”
“If I can help a student, then I’m going to do it,” Peyton stated firmly. As a teacher, she’d seen her mother help many students, and Peyton strived to do the same. “How difficult can it be, anyway?”
For his meeting with Quentin and the corporate sponsor, Malik dressed extra-carefully. He wanted to impress the bigwig, if he was going to convince him to hand over thousands of dollars. He chose a black, double-breasted suit and teamed it with a starched white shirt. He nixed a tie, because he hated the darn things, and he left a few buttons open at the top. Dark loafers, which he’d bought from a local street vendor, completed his ensemble. Malik admired himself in the mirror. He rarely, if ever, got dressed to come to the center, unless he had a meeting at the CAN headquarters, or the board was making their semi-annual visit.
Malik finished up paperwork in the morning before meeting Quentin at The Grill Room. “I have a twelve o’clock with Quentin Davis,” Malik informed the maître d’, once he arrived.
“Follow me.” He led Malik across the marble-floored dining room to a table with a view overlooking the Hudson River, where Quentin and Avery were already seated. What is she doing here? Malik wondered.
“Avery, Quentin,” Malik nodded as he came towards the
table.
“It’s good to see you, Malik,” Avery said, smiling.
Malik sat down and the maître d’ placed a napkin over his lap. “Enjoy your lunch,” the maître d’ said.
“Thank you. I’m surprised to see you here, Avery, but happy that you could join us,” Malik responded and turned to his best friend. “Q, I have to thank you for this opportunity, because the center could use a makeover.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” Quentin looked towards the doorway.
“Why would you say that?” Malik asked, then his eyes followed Quentin’s, to see corporate tycoon Richard King walking towards them. Malik blinked several times to make sure his eyes weren’t deceiving him, but when he opened them Richard King was standing right in front of him.
“Malik.” Richard extended his hand—which Malik declined.
Malik inwardly seethed. Just a few months ago Richard King had wanted to tear down the community center and build a multimedia complex and condos, but Malik and CAN had fought him hard. What in the world would possess Q to think that he would ever accept a donation from the man who tried to destroy the very thing he was working so hard to preserve?
What Malik wanted to do was tell King that he could take his money and shove it, but he heard Andrew’s voice telling him not to be so quick to judge. He busied himself by reaching for the pitcher of water and pouring himself a glass.
“Richard.” Avery rose and kissed her biological father’s cheek. Not many people knew that she was the product of an interracial relationship. Richard had once had an affair with Avery’s mother, an African-American woman. Even though they hadn’t acknowledged each other publicly, only finding out they were related earlier this spring, she and Richard had begun to form a tentative friendship.
“How are you?” She attempted to make conversation, even though Malik was shooting daggers at both her and Quentin.
Avery had already gone out on a limb a few months ago when she’d asked Richard not to go forward with his Harlem development plans. When she’d approached him with the idea of doing a flip and renovating the center, to show his commitment to the community, initially he’d been hesitant. But she’d persuaded him to at least come and listen; but now Malik’s attitude threatened to ruin all her hard work.
“Well, darling,” Richard said, and smiled. It warmed his heart to have a relationship with the only biological child he’d ever have since his wife, Cindy, and he had been unable to conceive. “Quentin.” He leaned over and shook the photographer’s hand.
After the waiter came and took their drink and lunch orders, Quentin dispensed with the pleasantries and got right down to business. “We all know why we’re here.” He glanced at Malik, who was conspicuously quiet and sat sipping his water. “Harlem Community Center is in need of renovation. The center is looking for a corporate sponsor. Malik, why don’t you explain to Richard some of the community center’s needs?”
Malik inhaled deeply and willed down the bile that was in his throat, then took on a professional air. “HCC needs a corporate sponsor dedicated to our center and willing to put up the funds for remodeling. We need new paint, carpeting and tile throughout, plus refinishing the gymnasium floor and updating the kitchen. The computer facility is in desperate need of new technology. The game room could use another foosball machine and a new ping-pong table. We’d also like to set up some type of reserve for any special projects that we’d like to complete in the future.”
“You don’t need a lot.” Richard chuckled.
“Are you laughing at the needs of the common folk?” Malik asked.
“Of course he wasn’t,” Avery said, defending him, “but that was quite a laundry list. Isn’t that right?” Avery’s green eyes landed on Quentin’s for help.
“Yes, but trust me, Richard, when we—” Quentin glanced at Malik, wanting his friend to know that they were all in this together “—say that it’s all needed.”
“I don’t doubt that it is.”
“But you’re wondering what’s in it for you?” Malik asked, as the tycoon sat back and stared at him. “I would say the satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping a great many people, but since I doubt that’s the answer you’re looking for, then I would say the positive press that it would generate, given your portrayal in the media as a ruthless tycoon. And of course, the tax relief.”
“Malik, that’s enough!” Avery said. She was embarrassed by his rudeness.
“Let the man speak his mind, Avery. He’s entitled to his opinion,” Richard replied, “no matter how wrong it might be. If I were as ruthless as you say, Mr. Williams, I would have gone through with the development deal despite my daughter’s plea. And I most certainly wouldn’t be here listening to you today.”
“Touché. But then it begs the question, why are you here?” Malik pressed. “Are you here to assuage your conscience?”
“I’m here because your center needs funding and I can provide it, but if you’d rather look elsewhere…” Richard left his words hanging in the air.
“What I would like is to be able to look myself in the mirror and be proud of the man looking back at me.” Malik rose from his chair and threw his napkin down. “I’m not at all sure I can do that, knowing that the King Corporation would be the sponsor. Quentin and Avery.” Malik turned to his friend. “Thanks for trying, but I don’t think this is the right fit for the center. Richard, good day.” Malik turned on his heel and strode out of the restaurant.
“Malik, wait!” Quentin yelled, but he was already gone.
Malik fumed on the train ride back to Harlem. Of all the potential corporate sponsors in Manhattan, Richard King was definitely not the person he’d expected to see when Quentin asked him to lunch. His cell phone had rung several times since he’d left the restaurant, and he let all the calls go to voice mail. He was in no mood to talk to Q right now.
Malik knew who was behind the ambush: Avery. Quentin would have never thought about approaching the man who tried to tear down the center to ask for money. Malik was beginning to think his boy was whipped.
As he exited the train and walked back to the center, Malik removed his overcoat. Even though he looked good in them, he dreaded monkey suits. “Loretta,” he smiled at the receptionist when he came inside.
“Malik.” She smiled back at him. She couldn’t resist thinking what a fine-looking young man he was. My granddaughter could sure use a fellow like him, instead of that good-for-nothing she hung out with.
“Is Theresa in her office?”
“Yes, sir.”
Malik didn’t bother knocking, and just stormed in. “You will not believe who the corporate mogul was that Q wanted me to meet.”
“Well excuse you,” Theresa huffed, placing her hand over the mouthpiece. “I am on the phone.”
“I’m sorry, Theresa,” Malik replied sheepishly, looking down. He mouthed the words “Come talk to me” and left the room.
Several minutes later, Theresa found Malik reclining in his chair and staring at the ceiling. “I take it the meeting did not go as you anticipated.”
“Worse,” Malik responded, sitting up. “Quentin and Avery had the nerve to set up a meeting with Richard King, of all people.”
Understanding dawned on Theresa. “Ah! And there’s the rub.”
“What was he thinking?” Malik said. “Richard King! I swear, Quentin is led around by the nose.”
“The man is in love,” Theresa said.
“Yeah, well, love has fried his brain.”
“Please don’t be upset with him.” Theresa pleaded Quentin’s case. “I know he was only trying to help.”
“I’m not angry at him.” Malik tossed his head. “Being angry takes too much energy. We’re just back to the drawing board.”
“Don’t worry, Malik.” Theresa came forward and patted his shoulder. “Trust me, okay. This isn’t the first time the center’s been in need. Over the years, I’ve seen Andrew down and out like this, but believe you me, if there’s a will, the
re’s a way. I have faith in you.”
Malik gave a halfhearted smile. Why couldn’t he have had a mother like Theresa Harris?
“Is Malik here?” Peyton asked the receptionist later that afternoon in the community center lobby. She’d decided, spur-of-the-moment, after her last class let out at four to come by the center and ask for Malik’s assistance with Kendra’s situation. She was hoping he could share some insight or know of some programs that might help the young mother. She glanced at her watch, it was well past five, but she was hoping that Malik was as much of a workaholic as she.
“Let me check with his assistant,” Loretta replied. “Please have a seat.”
Peyton was about to sit down when the door flew open. “Hi, Peyton. What can I do for you?”
“Well…” Peyton was hoping to speak with Malik directly. Much to her own surprise, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him. He radiated a vitality that drew her like a magnet. And now she was here at the center, hoping the sexy director with deliciously long dreads would join her for dinner to discuss Kendra’s situation.
“Peyton?” Theresa noticed that the professor had a dreamy expression on her face. “You were saying?”
Peyton shook her head. “I was hoping Malik might give me some more information about day care and assistance for young mothers. Is he in?”
Theresa smiled knowingly. The professor had come in person to get information she could have researched on the Internet or gotten via the phone. Peyton Sawyer was definitely interested in Malik, and Theresa was going to stoke the flame. “Sure. Let me get him for you. He’s just finishing up a phone call.”
Malik was completely caught off guard when Theresa told him that Peyton Sawyer was in the lobby waiting for him. He quickly checked his appearance in the mirror before coming out.
She stood when he arrived, allowing him to lazily appraise her toned athletic legs extending from her straight black skirt, which she’d accompanied with a black-and-white polka dot, silk shirt and a single strand of pearls. She looked like the cherry on top of a sundae and he wanted to gobble her up. “Peyton, it’s good to see you.”
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