“I meant one thing as in two things.” He held a hand up. “I know. I know,” Justin said. “Here’s the thing. We need to know as soon as possible.”

“Why the rush?”

He had the decency to look sheepish. “Barrington doesn’t want you to think we’re only starting this new department to make the company look good, but—”

“But you need to make the company look good,” she said.

“Trendsetters will be profiled for Tech News Watch magazine next month. I don’t have to tell you how impressive that is.”

No, he didn’t. Tech News Watch was one of the largest trade magazines for the tech world.

“We want this Outreach Department up and running before the reporter gets here.”

“You want me to build a new department from scratch in a month, while also juggling the rest of my current projects?”

“Did I mention your bonus will be significant?” Justin asked. “Look, Samiah, I know this is a lot, but there’s not a single person in this company who could do the job that you would do. However, if you’re not up to it, there are a couple of other people on my list.”

“Don’t go giving away my department before I even get the chance to run it,” she said. “Can I have a day or two to think it over?”

He nodded. “Let me know by Monday.”

She pushed up from the chair and thanked Justin for the opportunity. Having the chance to mold this new endeavor into her own vision was intoxicating. But as she made her way back to her office, all she could think about was what she would have to give up in order to make it happen.

*  *  *

The deluge that had sabotaged their plans to hike the Walnut Creek Trail continued to pound against the floor-to-ceiling windows of Samiah’s living room. Other than the occasional ding from the elevator or a faint car horn blaring from twenty-one stories below, the steadily intensifying rain provided the only sound throughout the condo.

It had been this way for much of the morning. Long stretches of comfortable silences were interrupted by Samiah’s sporadic musings about the new position she’d been offered at Trendsetters. Daniel glided his fingers lazily through her hair, massaging her scalp as she continued to debate whether she should take it.

He felt her stiffen a moment before she sat up.

“Oh, my God, I’m an idiot,” Samiah said. “Why didn’t I think of this sooner?”

“Have you figured it out?” he asked.

“Yes, of course! Well, I’ve figured out why I’m having such a hard time figuring it out. It’s because I haven’t made a checklist! I need to write down all the pros and cons.” She started to rise, but he gently stayed her with his palm.

“No list-making,” Daniel said. “You said you were going to relax today, remember?”