While sitting and catching up, we were interrupted by people wanting to say hello, the first being the guy, Brog, who Hakim wanted me to holler at. Then there were several others wanting to introduce themselves or simply make their presence known. What took me by surprise were those who wanted to chat with Zoey. One woman came by asking about services at Zoey’s bakery. She told Zoey she was having an event and wanted to do something different and a mutual associate recommended the bakery.
“Oh, yeah!” Zoey exclaimed, physically animated. “We do many types of party hosting: birthday cakes and cupcake tutorials for kids, tea parties with tea biscuits—that I love—for a more mature crowd, champagne and fruit trays that include miniature cakes… All types of things. If I could recommend something that you might enjoy based off what you just shared, wine and cupcakes for you and your diva friends…” Zoey then went into the details of that type of event.
I noticed her taking sips of her champagne as she listened and engaged the woman. It turned me the fuck on as Zoey handed the woman a business card when it was clear to me she had her sold.
It also afforded me time to reflect on Zoey’s overall reception to me. Her regard had been friendly, void of our checkered past. She made me temporarily forget the pain that I’d caused or perhaps she’d grown past it and moved on. She was a clearly grown up Zoey, not that I’d ever known anything less about her. She even now had her own identity. No one had mentioned knowing her as Stenton Rogers’ baby’s mother. She was simply Zoey.
Zoey’s metropolitan feel made me discern the possibility of a new beginning, minus the hurt and confusion I’d caused. It made me feel like the reset button had been pressed. Zoey had come to that place I wanted for her when she’d gotten pregnant. A new beginning except for the fact that she had my child; I’d never change that in a million years. There was no one else I would have charged that responsibility to. She was the one and only. My connection with this incredible woman would always be, even beyond death. And that’s what I’d always wanted.
The time progressed and we continued with our conversation.
“Zoey, I’m about to check out of here. I gotta get up for Altina’s recital first thing in the morning.” I looked up to find Tynisha fumbling with her purse.
Zoey’s wide eyes grazed mine. I could tell she wasn’t ready to go. Here was my opportunity.
“I’ll take her home,” I muttered.
“Huhn?” Tynisha grunted. Her dubious glare moved to Zoey.
Zoey’s eyes kept bouncing between the two of us as she contemplated. This could have gone either way. They landed on Tynisha.
“I’ll be okay,” Zoey assured.
Then it was Tynisha’s turn to bounce her eyes back and forth between Zoey and me.
“You sure, Zo? It won’t be any trouble for me to drop you off before I hit the highway.”
Zoey’s eyes turned to me, biting the inside of her lip.
“It’s no biggie, seeing that I need that sippy cup to help with Jordan’s milk intake,” I fought. Fuck off, Ty! “You can imagine what I’m still going through trying to get him to drink cow’s milk, especially after having that sweet breast milk for so long.”
Zoey’s head tossed back in laughter at that comment. It was an insider between the two of us about the one time we were together sexually after she’d had the baby. At four months old, Jordan was still nursing from Zoey’s breasts. While she was on top, riding me, her milk started to excrete and fall onto my chest and face where I got a chance to taste it. The substance was thin and sweet. She was totally aghast, terrified by her body’s reaction to arousal. I ran into the bathroom after her to convince her that it was all good.
It was a good laugh to share about an intimate memory between us.
I jumped to return. “Ty, I’m right here in the city. It won’t be necessary for you to have to stop on your way to Upper Saddle River. She’ll be fine.” I pushed a little harsher than necessary, perhaps.
Before Tynisha could give a rebuttal, Zoey said, “I’m good, Ty. I don’t want to hold you up. You guys go ahead.”