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housed in the cities’ major shopping districts giving out samples, surveying the customers, and really getting out there to connect with our buyers. We don’t want them to feel like they’re buying from a company. We want them to feel like they’re shopping with friends, like they’ve had some input in the products we’re putting out there.”
    â€œObviously, this is a massive undertaking, but it’s what we feel we have to do to get out of the red,” said Oni. “And we’re open to good ideas. If you have some suggestions, we encourage you to share them. We need the creativity and brainpower of everyone seated here because the bottom line is, whatever happens from this point on affects all of us.”
    After some initial hesitancy, various people began to raise their hands and put in their two cents. Some of the ideas were gems; some made Oni regret asking them to offer suggestions.
    Jamal glanced over at Catt. “You’re being mighty quiet over there, Miss Cason. Do you have any suggestions?”
    Catt lifted her eyes. “I’ll let you know when I come up with something brilliant.”
    Oni faced the group again. “Look, no one said that we had to get this done all in one day. I only intended for this to be a brainstorming session, and we’ve already gotten some great ideas out of it. Let’s just go to lunch and pick this up again around two.”
    As they adjourned and began filing out, Catt picked up Oni’s list and began skimming through it, mentally checking off the ideas that she liked most.
    â€œDidn’t you hear her say break for lunch?” asked Jamal over Catt’s shoulder.
    Catt jumped. “Why are you always sneaking up on me like that?”
    â€œWhy are you always so jumpy and tense? Do I make you nervous?”
    â€œYes, the same way murderers do when I’m alone on a dark street.”
    He feigned being shot in the heart. “That was cold!”
    â€œIt’s a cold world,” she snarled, dropping her pen and notebook into her bag.
    Jamal’s expression changed. “I want you to do me a favor.”
    Catt zipped her bag. “Don’t worry. I already have. My father is a pastor. I took the liberty of asking him to add you to this week’s prayer list. Now that I see you’ll be gone for three weeks, it appears that my prayers have been answered.”
    â€œYes, I’ll be gone for three weeks. While I’m gone, I want you to try to get laid or get high or do whatever it takes to make you less of a pill by the time I get back.”
    She bristled at the suggestion. “You’re not the easiest person to get along with either, Jamal. I know you’ve got these women hanging on to your every word, but they’re not stuck down there in the lab with you. They don’t know what’s beyond the good looks and nice body.”
    He chuckled a bit. “At least that’s some progress.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œHearing you acknowledge that you’ve noticed these good looks and this nice body. I was worried that you might be a lesbian.”
    Catt resented the notion. “What’s the exact date you’ll be leaving? This tour of yours can’t come soon enough for me!”
    â€œI’ll be gone in a week. Try to find a way to live without me.”
    â€œLiving without you isn’t the problem. It’s living with you— that’s keeping me near the cross.”
    Jamal gave up. “Enjoy your lunch, Miss Cason.”
    Catt watched his retreating figure exit out the door. His leaving would be a welcomed relief and a blessing in disguise, she told herself. It was almost convincing enough to get her to believe that she wouldn’t miss him.

Chapter 10
    Oni rose from her desk and closed the door after summoning both Jamal and Catt to her office promptly at 10:00 in the morning. “Please have a seat.”
    Three days before Oni and Jamal