One Way or Another by Rhonda Bowen

narrowed. “What’s the catch?”
    Adam took a few steps forward until he was only a couple inches from her. This time when the intoxicating scent of her perfume hit him, he was ready for it. “I’ll give you your interview, let you talk to anyone at the center, and even put you in touch with our chaplain from Immanuel if you do one thing.”
    Toni looked apprehensive. “What?”
    â€œCome with me and the boys to Mississippi.”
    Toni raised an eyebrow. “Gee, Adam, we just met and you’re already asking me to go away with you?”
    â€œWe’re taking a dozen of the boys and a couple staff to Mississippi to work on a Habitat for Humanity project,” Adam began, ignoring her sarcasm. “One of our volunteer staff bailed on us, and Jasmine can’t go again for obvious reasons.
    â€œBe our replacement, and I’ll give you the story.”
    â€œWhen is this trip?” Apprehension was still written all over her face.
    â€œEnd of June,” Adam said.
    â€œAdam, that’s in three weeks!”
    â€œI know,” Adam said. “So is that a yes?”
    â€œNo!”
    â€œYou didn’t even think about it!” Adam said, trying hard not to sound as desperate as he felt.
    â€œWhy do you want me anyway?” Toni asked. “You forget that little speech you made about me being a bad influence? Aren’t you afraid I’ll corrupt your little reformed gangbangers?”
    â€œNo, I’m not,” Adam said easily. “ ’Cause you only get your interview after the trip, and I know you wouldn’t risk it by convincing the boys to do anything stupid.”
    Toni narrowed her eyes. “How do I know you won’t change your mind after you get what you want?”
    â€œI’m not like that.” He was surprised at how naturally suspicious she seemed. “All I’ve got is my word. So if I say I’m gonna do something, I do it. Ask Trey, Jasmine, or any of those boys if you don’t believe me.”
    She seemed to consider him for a moment. Then she relaxed. Adam let himself hope.
    â€œSo what’s it gonna be? Are you in?”
    â€œNo way,” Toni said, looking at him as if he had just lost his mind.
    â€œFine,” Adam said, shrugging. “No trip, no interview.”
    This time she didn’t try to stop him as he opened the door and went inside. He had hoped that she would. Hoped that she would walk down the hall, give him her usual scowl, and then agree to do it. But she didn’t. In fact, when Adam finally dared to look back, the hallway was empty and she was gone. He couldn’t deny the tiny sting of disappointment that lingered with him. Now he had to go find some other volunteer.
    He stuck his hands in his pockets and made his way to his office. So much for that.

Chapter 8
    â€œJ as, Trey, I’m here!”
    Toni turned her key to her brother’s town house and pushed the door open. When she got no answer, she shoved it closed behind her, kicked off her shoes, and made her way to the kitchen. She had almost bailed on coming to see them, but she had left work late, and since she knew her fridge was empty, this would be a quick way to score some food and avoid face time with her stove.
    Toni grabbed a banana from off the kitchen table and headed down the hallway. She was about to holler again, when she turned the corner to the living room and stopped short.
    There were people everywhere, sitting on Jasmine’s special-order cream couch, lounging in her Crate and Barrel wing chair, curled up on the carpet. In fact, it looked like everyone from Jasmine and Trey’s church was crammed in there. And she should know; after all, it used to be her church too, before she quit going ten years earlier.
    Toni stomped her foot, barely biting back a four-letter word. It was Wednesday night. She hadn’t realized. And now she was caught in Jasmine and Trey’s small group