Georgia On My Mind by Brenda Stokes Lee

pried.
    “Who?” Rashawn played dumb.
    “Michelle Obama!” Peaches joked. “Stop playing stupid.”
    “What do you mean? What’s she like? She’s a woman.”
    “Yeah! I figured as much. Tell me about her. Is she pretty?”
    “Why do women always ask that question? Does it really matter?”
    “Yes! We ask the question because we want to know the answer.  So just answer the question. Is she pretty?”
    “Yeah, actually she's beautiful… Extremely beautiful in fact.” Peaches rolled her eyes. “I didn’t ask you all that. You didn’t have to elaborate. You could have just said yes or no.”
    Rashawn stifled a chuckle as he realized that he had touched a jealous streak. “Sorry. Yes, she’s pretty. Pretty damn beautiful!” He burst into laughter.
    Peaches swung at him and caught him with a hard right to the shoulder. “Keep playing with me!”
    “What? What did I do?” He innocently asked.
    “Is she skinny?” Peaches continued without acknowledging his question.
    “What? Why you all up in my bizniz, Miss Peaches?” He joked.
    “Never mind!  You don't even have to say a word.  I bet she's one of those two pound skinny bitches! She’s probably a white girl too!”
    “No! See there you are wrong she’s a sista... And she's got to be at least four or five pounds!  You know that I like a little something to grab on to.” Rashawn laughed as he ran out of reach from Peaches grasp. “Okay, I'll admit that she's pretty and yeah, she's pretty thin too. Hell she's even rich. So what? None of that shit translates into love!”
    “She’s rich? Seriously? How the hell did you meet a rich girl? With your broke, no job ass!” Peaches laughed.
    “What? Peaches, I'm not broke... I told you I’m just between contracts.”
    “Yeah! Whatever!” Peaches laughed harder. “Report that report to your broke ass car and your run down townhouse.”
    “You know what? I’m not even going to try to explain my situation to you. Anyway… I don't know... it just happened.  And for your information I had a job when I met her! A damn good job!  I keep trying to tell you that I’m not broke.”
    “Yeah, whatever! That’s exactly what a broke ass nigga would say.” Peaches laughed.
    “That’s okay… You’ll see one day. I’m not going to say another word about it. You're going to be surprised when my new contract comes through!”
    “Surprise me then, Peanut.  Hell, I love surprises!”
    Offended, Rashawn rolled his eyes and mumbled beneath his breath. “Oh you're going to love this one, then.”
    “What did you say?” Peaches giggled. “Don’t get mad. I’m just teasing. It’s rough out here, especially the way the economy is right now. I’m sorry. I promise I won’t bring it up anymore.”
    “Look, don’t worry about it. So, what are you doing tonight?”
    “I don't know. Nothing really, why?”
    “I just thought of a way to burn some extra calories.” Rashawn’s eyes brightened.
    “Oh hell, no Peanut!  I am not doing anymore damn exercises.  You've worked me so hard my pain has pain. It’s Friday night and I’m going to relax with a bubble bath and a good book.”
    “So, you don't want to go dancing?”
    “Now hold up, you didn't say anything about dancing!”
    “You in?”
    “Oh, hell yeah! I'm definitely in, but what about itty, bitty pretty one?  What's she going to say about it?”
    Rashawn laughed as he took his turn on the speed bag. “That's real cute.  There you go minding my damn bizniz again! That's my problem not yours.”
Chapter 16
    Finally free and clear of Peaches and officially engaged to Mercedes, Charles was as happy as a fat pig in a barrel of fowl slop. In celebration of their daughter’s engagement, Mercedes’ wealthy parents threw the happy couple and impromptu engagement party.  In his element the relaxed and poised, Charles worked the crowded party effortless charming everyone he met.
    “You see this is the type of people I've been trying to socialize