Free Catt Chasing by Shana Burton Page B

answered it, grateful for the interruption. “Hello?”
    â€œHey, Catt, it’s me, Eldon . . . Minister James.”
    â€œHey, Eldon, what’s up?”
    â€œYour dad just reminded me that you’re leaving today. I wanted to let you know that I’m praying for you to have a safe journey, and I’m counting the minutes until you get back.”
    â€œThat’s sweet of you to say. Now, admit it—did my father put you up to calling me?”
    â€œHe didn’t have to. I told you . . . I like you, Catt. I’m really hoping that you’ll let me take you out to dinner when you get home.”
    Catt smiled into the phone. She was happy to have something to look forward to while she endured the road trip from hell. “Sure, Eldon. I’d like that.”
    â€œThen it’s a date!” he confirmed. “We can work out the details when you get back. Call me when you get to your destination. I think I’ll sleep better knowing that you got there safely.”
    â€œWill do,” she assured him. “I’ll talk to you later.”
    Jamal cut his eyes toward her and stopped chewing for a second. “Was that your boyfriend?”
    â€œWhy?”
    He swallowed. “I’m just shocked that you’d even have a man.”
    â€œAnd I’m shocked that they let dogs like you roam the streets without a leash, so we’re even.”
    Jamal laughed to himself. “I’m even more curious about the kind of man who’d date you. He must have low self-esteem. You seem like the type who would do that to a brother.”
    â€œJamal, you would really be doing both of us a huge favor if you stopped pretending like you know me. You don’t!”
    â€œI may not know you all that well, but I know your type.” He chewed his omelet. “I’m an expert on women.”
    She shot him a blank stare. “Oh, I know this’ll be too funny! Please, enlighten me, Mr. Ford. Amaze me with your candor and wisdom regarding the fairer sex.”
    He wiped his mouth. “I will.” Jamal turned to Catt and gave her the once-over. “You’re the classic overachiever. I bet you got all A’s in school, probably were the captain of the debate team, president of the Honor Society. You didn’t date much—too busy hitting the books and hiding snack cakes under your pillow. But you secretly longed to be the cheerleader or the popular girl in school who had all the guys drooling. Even now, you make the big dollars and get to push people around at work, but you’re still lonely. You’re still that insecure fifteen-year-old who wanted nothing more than for the cute basketball player to ask her to the prom or to even notice that she existed.”
    â€œWow . . .” said Catt in amazement.
    â€œHit it right on the head, didn’t I?” he asked smugly.
    Catt nodded slowly. “It’s incredible . . . you’re an even bigger idiot than I thought!”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou’re right. I was the captain—of the cheerleading squad , not the debate team! And I didn’t spend my nights with my nose in some book. It just came naturally to me. I spent my nights with my sorors having fun and partying like everyone else. And I had a man, who, ironically, was a basketball player. We were together for three years, and I dumped him when I realized that I was too fabulous to settle for anything less than God’s best. So you can take your little theory about me and shove it!” She flung one of her napkins at him.
    â€œI bet there’s at least a little truth to it,” boasted Jamal. “Like I said, I know women.”
    â€œReally? Then why are you still single?”
    â€œYou mean other than the fact that I choose to be? For starters, most women don’t even make it past the thirty-Day Plan.”
    She squinted her eyes. “The what? ”
    â€œThe thirty-Day Plan. It’s a