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on the reverend. “Yes, we met right after the service. Reverend,” Jasmine said, “Malik told me a bit about the building committee.”
    “Yes, we’re excited. Our hope is that the center will become a hub for this community.”
    “I think that you are…what you’re doing is incredible,” she said, taking a step closer to him. “And I want to offer my services to you.”
    He questioned her with his eyes.
    “Did Malik mention that I’m a marketing specialist?”
    “No,” the reverend said, as if he were surprised.
    “Yes, I’m working for Malik and his new club. And, I’d love to…work for you.”
    The reverend paused for a moment, and inside, Jasmine’s heart leapt at the way his stare seemed to penetrate right through her.
    I knew it, she thought. Yes, he was a preacher, but he still belonged to the faction of humans that was her specialty—he was a man.
    The reverend said, “I appreciate that offer, but I don’t know how you’d be able to help me…or the committee right now.”
    Malik said, “Jasmine, we’re still in the planning stages.” He turned to Reverend Bush. “I’ll call you tomorrow with those numbers.” Malik placed his hand on Jasmine’s elbow, and squeezed just enough to let her know he was serious. “I’ll walk you outside.” Malik nodded his good-bye to Reverend Bush.
    “Have a good evening,” Reverend Bush said and paused. “Both of you.”
    Her eyes widened as the reverend stepped away. She wanted to slap Malik, but that would have to wait. “Reverend Bush, I know you’re not at the stage for marketing yet, but planning is always good. How about lunch tomorrow?”
    The reverend swiveled around. Surprise was etched in the lines of his forehead.
    She said, “I know your calendar is probably full, but you have to eat.” The steps she took toward him left only inches between them. “And I have some ideas for you,” she said softly.
    She was sure she saw a glimmer in his eyes.
    He said, “I apologize, Jasmine. Somehow I’ve given you the wrong impression. I don’t need any ideas…or anything else from you.”
    She frowned. “But, Reverend, I—”
    “Thanks, Reverend Bush,” Malik said, this time taking Jasmine’s hand. “I’ll call tomorrow.”
    Reverend Bush nodded, and then with a final glance toward Jasmine, he disappeared into his office, with the ever-grinning Brother Hill steps behind him.
    Malik kept his smile as he said good-bye to other committee members still lingering, but once outside, all decorum was gone.
    “What was that?” he yelled.
    She jerked her hand away and tightened her coat against the winter’s air. “What’s your problem? I brought you the folder of the plans we went over today. I thought you’d want to review them tonight.”
    Malik opened the folder with a smirk on his face, as if he already knew it was empty.
    “Oh, well,” Jasmine said not even bothering to act surprised. “I must have picked up the wrong one.”
    “Don’t play with me, Jasmine. Both of us know what this is about.”
    She turned and marched toward Riverside Drive. “So what?” she asked over her shoulder. “I’ve asked for your help over and over.”
    “And you think you’ll win me to your side by busting into a church meeting?”
    “I waited outside that conference room for over an hour. So, I wasn’t busting into anything.” She stepped off the curb and held out her hand, signaling for a taxi.
    He pulled her back onto the sidewalk. “Jasmine, what’s going on? I thought you’d put all of this stuff behind you.”
    She frowned. “What stuff are you talking about?” she asked, although she knew what he meant. She was sure her sister and father had told Malik every deranged detail of why she’d left Los Angeles. How she’d become obsessed with her best friend’s husband. Serena and their father had probably made it sound as if she’d been swinging from a loose branch of a crazy tree.
    But there was no way Malik could equate Reverend