Catt Chasing by Shana Burton Read Free Book Online Page A

my ministries at the church to worry about. There’s not really a lot of room in my life for much else.”
    Eldon began eating again. “Church and work—that’s really it for you?”
    â€œWell, I like sports, and I love to read too,” she added, pushing her salad around her plate. She wondered if her life was really as boring as it sounded.
    â€œAnything other than the Bible?” Eldon asked.
    â€œSure. I like poetry.”
    Eldon lit up. “I do too.” He was grateful to see that they had something other than the Lord and ambition in common. “Who’s your favorite poet?”
    She mulled it over. “Wow, there are so many, but I have to say Sonia Sanchez and Stephany immediately come to mind.”
    â€œWho’s Stephany? I’ve never heard of her.”
    â€œShe’s kind of an unknown. I started getting into her stuff in undergrad. She’s one of those poets who started building a name for herself during the ’60s.”
    Eldon drew a blank. “The name’s not ringing a bell. Do you know anything of hers by heart? I might recognize some of her work if I hear it.”
    â€œ In the silence of the city night when the lonely watch the sky in yearning, I at rest beside you, lie in peace . I searched a thousand skies before you came ,” recited Catt.
    â€œIs that hers?”
    â€œYes, isn’t it beautiful?” she sighed.
    â€œIt probably would be if I knew what the heck she was talking about.”
    â€œShe’s talking about a woman who goes her whole life searching for love, and she finally finds him. Then she looks around at all of the lonely people in the world, and she realizes how blessed she is to have true love. She doesn’t have to watch the sky or roam or be alone anymore.”
    â€œIs that what you’re doing—watching the sky, roaming, looking for love?” posed Eldon.
    â€œI guess we all are in a way. I just hope I find love the same time it finds me, you know?”
    Eldon nodded. “Believe me, I’ve done my fair share of looking. But who knows.” He reached across the table and lifted her chin. “Maybe the one I’ve been searching for all of my life has been right here in front of me all along.”

Chapter 7
    The next few weeks of working with Jamal mirrored the day he rushed by her to catch the elevator. Their interactions consisted mostly of seeing each other in spurts as he raced from one meeting to another with Oni or some other executive within the company. His name was barely even mentioned in office gossip anymore as most of the women at Telegenic had concluded that either he was all business or was sleeping with Oni.
    â€œWhere’s your shadow?” asked Catt, looking up from her test tube. “You and Oni have been joined at the hip lately.”
    â€œWe’ve been collaborating with the other departments trying to finalize everything for the meeting tomorrow. You do intend to be there, don’t you?”
    â€œOni’s memo didn’t give me the impression that it was optional.”
    â€œIt’s not, but I really want you there. With so much going on and so many changes being made, we need your input.”
    Catt threw him a side-eyed glance accompanied by a sarcastic, “Yeah, right.”
    â€œPardon?”
    â€œYou don’t want my opinion, Jamal. If that were the case, perhaps I would have been included in some of these secret strategy sessions with you and Oni. No, you just want me to smile, say yes, and do as I’m told like some kind of mindless waif.”
    He frowned. “Why do you always act like there’s some kind of conspiracy going on? Respect the chain of command like everyone else.” He swiped the test tube away from her.
    â€œHey!” She snatched it back.
    Jamal retrieved it again. “I want to see what you’ve been working on. Gotta make sure you haven’t been slackin’ off in my