Disclaimer in Chapter 1
Peggy thought about texting Colleen once she'd realized her mistake but she didn't want to interrupt her date. Instead she pulled out her phone and dialed Edwin's number.
"Hello?" he asked in a panicked voice.
"Edwin? Is everything alright?" she could hear some sort of commotion in the background.
"Well" Peggy heard what she assumed to be the sound of something being hit. At Edwin's groan, Peggy realized it was him. She heard him plead with his assailant who seemed to take pity on him and a moment later he asked, "Are you still there?"
"Yes. Are you being attacked? Should I ring the police?" asked Peggy.
"Yes I have experienced what you could call an attack but no you shouldn't ring the police. It seems a woman Howard went out with last week showed up to give him a piece of her mind and when I informed her he wasn't here, she insisted I take a message for him." said Edwin. He sounded winded.
"I assume the message was given in a physical manner rather than verbal?" asked Peggy. She shook her head and thought, poor Edwin. He was always caught in the middle of his roommate's antics.
"You would be right in that. She's left now though. Did you need something?" he asked.
"Yes I was going to ask if you could swing by the Griffith and see if someone turned in my sketchbook." she said hopefully.
"Oh I am sorry but I have someone arriving in about fifteen minutes for a study session." said Edwin.
"That someone wouldn't happen to be a short, rather attractive Hungarian exchange student named Anna would it?" she asked curiously.
Edwin scoffed at her and answered "It would actually." She could almost see his indignant pout.
"That's quite a lot of studying the two of you have been up to," said Peggy in a teasing tone.
"Once again I am sorry I couldn't help you Peggy but I must go now," said Edwin.
"Make sure you kiss her this time Edwin," said Peggy. She got a dial tone in lieu of an answer. She chuckled out loud and Lola raised her head to her with a question in her eyes. Peggy patted her head and said "At least one of us might get some action."
Lola licked her hand and settled back into Peggy's lap. Peggy smiled at the dog's head and tried to text a few of her other friends. No one was available to stop by the shop for her. Peggy sighed and threw her head back on Colleen's couch. She hoped her sketchbook might still be there in the morning.
Peggy had a class at 8am that next morning and she didn't have time to stop by the shop until after. She would have skipped it but Professor Fry was adamant about attendance and she'd already used her allotted amount of absences. Damn prerequisite courses, she thought as she sat through an incredibly boring history lecture. When the professor dismissed the class, she bolted out of the door.
She made it out of the building just fine but then she was almost run over by Howard Stark.
"Pegs! Where are you off to in such a hurry? A mid morning delight?" asked Howard as he leaned on the building wall next to her.
"Honestly Howard? That's not even a real thing," said Peggy as she tried to push past him.
He shot an arm out and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "It is for me. Hey Pegs what do you say-"
Peggy took that opportunity to twist his arm behind his back and said in his ear, "Howard we've had this discussion before and I think I'm a bit more than you can handle. Also will you please stop letting your former dates assault your roommate. He's much too kind to give you the swift kick in the pants you deserve but never forget I'm not." She quickly let go of his arm and brushed off his shirt sleeve.
Howard wondered at the gesture before he noticed a class coming out of the door next to them. Peggy pinned him with a glare before running in the direction of the sea of students.
These were the days that Peggy really wished she had a car. Her usual bus was 15 minutes late. She bounded out of the bus door like she was on fire and ran toward the coffeeshop.
She noticed Angie was behind the counter and a small smile broke out on her face. She rushed up to the counter and before she could ask, Angie pulled out her sketchbook and said "Looking for this?"
Peggy blushed a light shade of pink and breathed an audible sigh of relief, "Yes thank you, I've been searching all morning for it."
Angie smiled and handed it to her. "You got real talent there English. I wish I could draw like that."
Peggy offered a shy smile at the compliment and said, "I'm sure you'd be much better than you think."
Angie shook her head and said, "Nah, it's fine. Some people are meant to be artists."
Peggy drew in a breath and said, "And some people are works of art." What a line, Peggy internally chided herself.
Angie looked at her a little stunned and Peggy continued, "Thank you so much for finding my book. Might I repay your kindness with dinner sometime soon when you're not busy?"
Angie felt like she couldn't move. The hot Englishwoman is asking you out! Nod you idiot! she thought. Somehow her body understood and she managed a nod.
Peggy smiled, "Good. Here is my number," She said as she wrote it on a suggestion card and dropped it in the tip jar. "Text me on your next break?" She winked and made her way out of the door.
Angie stood there stunned for a moment but was brought out of her daze by a customer.
"Excuse me?"
Angie turned toward the customer and said, "I'm sorry. What can I getcha?"
Peggy stopped at the end of the steps and caught her breath. I can't believe I did that, she thought. It could never be said of Peggy that she was incredibly mysterious but she was also rarely so forward.
"Hey English!" she heard someone call behind her. She turned around and Angie skipped down the steps after her. She smiled when she reached Peggy, "You got great timin. I was already due for a break."
"Must be my lucky day then," said Peggy as she smiled back at her. Stay cool, Margaret, she thought to herself. She could not quite figure out what to do with her hands so she decided to cross them over the strap of her bag. Sadly she pulled a little too hard and tripped toward Angie.
Angie held out her arms to steady Peggy and asked, "Are you ok?"
Peggy straightened herself and adjusted her glasses, "Perfectly alright." She spotted a small bench on the sidewalk. She gestured to it it with her hand and asked, "Would you like to sit and chat for your break."
Angie nodded and said "Course."
They moved toward the bench and sat down with a little distance between them.
Peggy turned her head toward Angie and asked, "So other than working here, what else do you do?"
Angie cocked her head to the side a bit in thought and said, "Well I'm a part time student and I also work at a bookstore down the street."
Peggy looked at her curiously and said, "A part time student? That must be why I've never seen you before now."
"That and we probably wouldn't take the same classes. It's not exactly a small campus. How bout you English? Other than being a pretty cool artist."
Peggy blushed a little at the compliment and said "Oh well it's mostly school for me though I also help out my friend Rose from time to time in teaching self defense courses."
Angie quirked an interested eyebrow at that, "Self defense, huh? That sounds pretty cool."
Peggy shrugged and said, "Well I did a bit of boxing in high school and it's nice to keep your skills fresh."
"I can see that," said Angie. A silence descended between them each not sure what to say next. Angie checked her phone and realized her break would be up soon, "Well it was nice talkin to ya but I got to go. And listen you don't have to do this dinner thing if you don't want to."
Peggy looked concerned and said, "I'm sorry if you're really busy. It was wrong of me to just assume you'd want to-"
Angie put her hand on Peggy's and smiled reassuringly. "Oh I totally want to," She said quickly and then at the interested look on Peggy's face, she got nervous and pulled her hand away. She bit her lip in concentration and continued, "I just want to make sure you'd actually want to have dinner with me. I don't want you to feel obligated or nothin."
Peggy smiled at her and said, "No I want to repay your kindness and,"
Peggy took a breath in and out for confidence and added "I think I'd like to know you better."
Angie looked a little surprised and then said, "I'd like it too. My day off is tomorrow. Pick me up at 7? I'll send you my address. It's not too far from here."
Peggy nodded and said "Of course."
Peggy put her head on the steering wheel and said to herself "Get it together Margaret." She'd been able to convince Colleen to let her borrow her car in lieu of tea and a scone as a repayment for watching Lola. She lowered the visor and looked in the mirror. She wondered if she should have tried contacts for the evening. She'd forgone her typical jeans, tank and flannel for a nice lavender blouse and black skirt. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been on a date and she felt as if she'd never been so concerned about what to say or do.
She checked her phone and realized it was five minutes to 7. She exited the car and walked toward the apartment building she knew was Angie's. Angie came out a few minutes later in a dress that matched the color of her eyes and her hair in nice curls and a ponytail.
She smiled at Peggy and said "Damn, English. You clean up good," as she looked her up and down.
"Not so bad yourself," said Peggy and then she hit her forehead with her hand and said "I mean you look very nice." She paused a minute then amended, "Erm, gorgeous I mean."
"Well nice would have done but I appreciate it," said Angie as she winked at her. She stood awkwardly at the sidewalk waiting.
It took Peggy a minute then she said "Oh right, the car is this way." She led the way then opened Angie's door for her.
When she got in on the driver's side, Angie turned to her and said playfully, "A girl could get used to this kind of treatment, you might wanna be careful."
"Perhaps you should," said Peggy as she started the engine.
Angie's response was a giggle and she said "Why aren't you just the gentleman."
Peggy let out a chuckle and said "Oh I assure you I'm quite a lady."
Angie smiled at that and they spent the rest of the car ride in comfortable silence.
Once they were seated in one of the fancier restaurants in the town, Angie leaned over and said "Gosh English I only gave you a free drink and found your book, you didn't have to go to this much trouble."
Peggy opened her menu and hid behind it a little and said "Perhaps I'd like to impress you."
Angie smiled and said, "Mission accomplished," as she opened her own menu.
The waiter came a few minutes later and after he took their orders, Peggy asked, "What are you taking courses in? We didn't get a chance to discuss it yesterday."
Angie smiled and said, "Business. My dad has a restaurant not too far from here and he needs someone to take over."
Peggy tilted her head in consideration and asked, "Is that what you really want to do?"
Angie shrugged, "My ma kids me about being too bossy and how this would help me put it to good use," She folded her arms on the table and said, "I don't mind it I guess. My brothers are older and moved on in different careers so someone has to step up."
"Hmm. Well I'm sure you'd make a fine manager," said Peggy. She could tell though that Angie's heart didn't seem to be in it.
Angie wiggled her eyebrows, "Trying to butter me up English?"
Peggy rolled her eyes but smiled, "So what do you like to do for fun?"
"Oh you know, convince hot English students to take me out," Peggy gave her an impatient glare. Angie laughed at that and said, "Lighten up Peg. I'm a big movie buff, I thought about bein an actress for a while before pop-" She stopped for a moment, a sudden sadness evident in her eyes. She recovered quickly and continued, "I like to go out dancin and I'm a fan of books which is really where my money from the bookstore goes."
"Oh I couldn't work in a bookstore for that very reason," said Peggy. She wanted to ask Angie about her father but she didn't want to pry. It was a first date after all.
Their food arrived and they both were momentarily distracted by eating.
Angie waited until she was mostly done and it seemed Peggy was in a similar place and asked, "How bout you? What do you like to do for fun?"
Peggy took a sip of water and then said, "I don't actually leave a lot of time for it. If you can believe it, this is my first time out in a while."
"You mean you're not out every night breakin girls' hearts?" said Angie as she quirked an eyebrow.
Peggy laughed at that and said, "No I'm afraid I'm quite boring. I love working. Occasionally I'll go to a movie with my friend Colleen or go to the museum with Edwin but there's not much else," Peggy shrugged and felt a bit disappointed in herself for such a ridiculous answer.
Angie could tell Peggy's disappointment and she offered her a comforting pat on the hand. "Well hey you met me now. I can help you bring a little fun into your routine," She winked as she brought her hand back to take a sip of water.
Peggy smiled and said, "I have no doubt of that."
They ordered dessert and talked until the waiter came by to let them know the restaurant was closing.
As they walked out, Angie commented, "Well look at that English, your first time out in a while and you close the place down."
Peggy laughed and said "I suppose I'm a go big or go home kind of girl."
Angie winked at her and said, "And here I thought you were such a lady."
"Hmm," murmured Peggy as she opened the door for Angie and climbed in on the other side.
When they reached Angie's apartment, Peggy walked her to the door and they both stood awkwardly waiting for the other to make a move.
Angie spoke first, "I had a great time."
Peggy smiled at that and said, "I did too. Thank you for coming."
The silence and awkwardness returned and Angie considered just opening the door and saying good night but there was a flicker in Peggy's eyes that made her stop. She wondered about what would make such a seemingly talented and gorgeous woman so nervous all the time. She remembered that Peggy mentioned she didn't get out much. It showed, but Angie found it a bit endearing.
Angie reached up and pecked Peggy on the cheek, "You call me the next time you need a little fun."
Peggy nodded and said, "Of course." She looked a little stunned.
Angie laughed a little, then opened her door and stepped inside.
Peggy lingered for a moment, bringing her hand up to where Angie kissed her. She was brought out of her daze when her phone beeped. She looked and there was a text from Colleen. 'Get your ass back here and tell me about what kind of date keeps you out till 1AM.'
Peggy laughed and checked the time realizing just how late she'd been out. She shot Colleen a message and let her know she was on her way.
Peggy considered the painting in front of her and asked without turning her head, "So have you kissed Anna yet?"
Without missing a beat Edwin answered with his own question, "Have you kissed Angie?"
Peggy sighed and said, "I can't really tell if her flirting is just her or if she's actually interested."
Edwin let out a little chuckle and said, "I'd say seeing you on every day she has off and constantly making comments about your attractiveness seems a dead giveaway."
Peggy playfully hit him in the arm and walked to the next exhibit. Edwin rubbed his arm in mock hurt and shook his head at her.
"Honestly though, have you kissed Anna?" Peggy asked again.
Edwin smiled and said, "She kissed me actually."
Peggy laughed loudly at that and startled some high school students in front of them. She recovered quickly and stated, "Of course she did."
"And just what is that supposed to mean?" asked Edwin defensively.
"Oh, Edwin, don't be offended. I think you like her forwardness," Peggy raised her eyebrows at him. It was both a statement and a question.
"Perhaps I do," said Edwin then he added "I'm sure you like Angie's as well," That earned him a glare, "Why don't you just ask her?"
Peggy bit her lip, "What if she has just been kind to me? I don't want to offend her."
"You won't know until you ask," said Edwin.
"You're right of course," scoffed Peggy.
"I try to be as much as possible," replied Edwin.
Peggy rolled her eyes and they continued on their tour.
Colleen seemed to be of the same opinion as Edwin, "Come on Pegs, she's so very obvious."
Peggy still looked unsure as she sat on the couch opposite Colleen, "I don't-"
"Listen I know you're not very experienced in this whole dating thing but I can assure you. All the signs are there. You two spend so much time together and she's always talking about how hot you are. Hell that one time I saw you two at The Griffith the other day, she looked ready to pounce you," said Colleen.
"Really?" asked Peggy as she adjusted her glasses and took a sip of her tea.
Colleen smiled at her and patted her free hand on the back of the couch, "Trust me Peg. That girl wants you."
Peggy smiled at her in thanks.
As Angie walked Peggy to her door, Peggy handed her a flyer. Angie angled her head in question and asked, "What's this?"
Peggy smiled shyly and said, "It's a show where they are going to display some of my work. I was hoping you'd come."
Angie smiled brightly at her and said, "Of course I will English."
"Thank you. I had a really nice time tonight," said Peggy. She turned to open her door when Angie stopped her with her hand.
Angie turned Peggy gently and and brought her hand up to rest at the base of Peggy's neck. Angie pulled herself up a little, bringing her lips to Peggy's. Peggy stood in shock for a moment before relaxing and kissing Angie back. Angie pulled away too quick for Peggy's taste and pressed her forehead to Peggy's. Peggy could see her smile.
Angie took another moment then lifted her head and said "In case you're still wonderin," Then she winked and walked away.