Read Online Catt Chasing by Shana Burton - Free Book Online Page B

were set to depart, Catt and Jamal both received a cryptic e-mail from Oni requesting their presence.
    The two coworkers sat down in the two Riviera wood chairs in front of Oni’s massive oak desk. Like everything else in the office, the chairs were sleek, elegant, and inspired envy, just like Oni.
    â€œThere’s been a change of plans,” announced Oni, drumming her fingers on the desk. “With everything that’s going on, there’s no way I can afford to take off for three weeks. I can’t go on the road with you, Jamal.”
    His mouth fell open. “What?”
    Oni flipped through her calendar. “Drea had her baby last night, four weeks early. This means that Chad is taking on some of her immediate responsibilities, and I’ve got to catch the slack for him. I just found out that I’ve got to take his meeting with some of our people out in California next week. Plus, we just had another chemist quit on top of everything else that’s going on. It’s impossible for me to get away right now.”
    â€œBut everything is already set!” he protested in an almost whiny tone. “We’ve secured venues, set everything up with the marketing team, and already sent out press releases. To cancel it at the last minute like this would be a huge mistake, Oni—a mistake that Telegenic can’t afford to make right now.”
    Catt backed him up. “Jamal’s right, Oni. The company has been planning this for weeks. It’ll ruin our credibility if we back out now.”
    Oni nodded and clasped her hands together. “I know. I totally agree with you, and I’m glad to know that you feel so strongly about it, Catt. It really helps to know that you’re on board with supporting this project.”
    â€œOf course, I am. I want to see Telegenic thrive, just like everyone else.” She eyed Jamal curiously. Had he told Oni something that would make her question Catt’s loyalty to the company?
    â€œSo then it’s settled,” concluded Jamal, relieved. “We’re still going to go out and do this promotional tour as planned.”
    â€œYes and no.” Oni eased from behind her desk and stood in front of them. “Jamal, I never said I was canceling the tour; I just said I couldn’t go with you,” she clarified.
    Jamal adjusted his position in the chair, visibly distressed. “Oni, I mean, I’ll do my best, but it’s a pretty big job for one person to take on . . .”
    Oni propped up against her desk. “It is. That’s why I asked Catt to meet with us today.”
    â€œWhat does all this have to do with me?” asked Catt as the pieces started to fall into place, much to her dismay. “No, you don’t mean—”
    Realizing the implication, Jamal was just as distraught as Catt was. “Oni, I know you don’t want Catt and me to—”
    â€œThe two of you carrying out the tour together makes perfect sense!” reasoned Oni. “You already work together and have camaraderie with each other. You know the product better than anyone else in the office, and you can be working on other projects in between promoting the new line. It’s perfect.”
    â€œOni, you and I already had a set plan,” pointed out Jamal. “We’ve been putting this whole thing together since I started here. Catt barely knows what’s going on!”
    â€œSo you’ll brief her and bring her up to speed,” directed Oni.
    â€œThe tour kicks off Thursday. I can’t get ready to leave for three weeks in three days,” Catt bemoaned.
    â€œSure you can. In fact, I’m giving you the rest of the week off to start packing and getting things in order. I also want you to use this time to review the products and the marketing strategy. The company can not afford to have either of you screw this up.”
    Jamal stood up, pleading with her to reconsider. “But, Oni, think