A Sin and a Shame Read Online Free PDF

turned back and stood square before the usher.
    With his eyes, he told her he knew what she was up to.
    With her eyes, she told him that she was ready to rumble.
    Only Jasmine spoke. “See you next Sunday,” she said, as if the two had just had an agreeable exchange.
    Without moving, he said, “I’m looking forward to it. Have a blessed week.”
    Jasmine smiled. He had no idea that by the end of the week, his words would be prophetic. She was going to have a very blessed week.

Chapter 4
    I t was difficult to balance on one foot with the phone tucked between her shoulder and ear.
    “I’m on my way, Malik,” Jasmine said, trying to squeeze into the leg-hugging boot.
    “Jasmine, this is an important meeting. You said you’d be here before eight.”
    “I’m doing my best, Malik.”
    “If this is your best, Jasmine, I need better than your best. We’re opening in less than three months and I don’t have time—”
    She cut into his tirade. “I’m really sorry, Malik,” she said, wishing she’d gotten out of bed when the alarm first rang. But fatigue had encouraged her to hit the snooze button over and over.
    The past week had been beyond tiring. Between working with decorators for her apartment and the restaurant, and adapting to her new position with her more-than-demanding godbrother, her days had been too long and her nights too short. It was only thoughts of Reverend Bush that had made the week tolerable. And it was only the exhaustion that yesterday’s disappointment had brought that kept her in bed far longer this morning than she planned.
    “Malik, I’m walking out right now. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
    Without a good-bye, Malik hung up. Both knew she was at least twenty minutes away—and that was if she could find a cab the moment she stepped outside.
    Jasmine grabbed her coat and briefcase, fumbled with the lock on her door, then dashed to the elevator.
    “Come on,” she said, leaning on the button.
    Just as the elevator arrived, Jasmine heard “Hold the elevator!” The voice boomed through the hallway.
    Jasmine rushed inside, held down the Close Door button, and then watched the door slide slowly shut. Then, just as quickly, it sprang open.
    The heavy fragrance of perfume wafted inside first, and then a woman followed, donned in a mink coat that swept the floor and a matching fur headband.
    “You can close the door now,” the woman instructed as if she’d known what Jasmine had been doing.
    Jasmine pressed the button and focused on the In Case of Emergency instructions on the elevator’s panel. But she couldn’t resist stealing a glance at the woman.
    It usually took seconds for Jasmine to assess women, but this one was difficult to judge. She stood at least a head taller than Jasmine. She was as erect and elegant as a dancer, shoulders squared, head high, with her hands—holding a small purse—crossed in front of her. Her mink, although probably several years old as revealed by the shawl collar, was obviously expensive.
    Yet, at the same time, her makeup was caked on so thick, Jasmine was sure it would take a scalpel to scrape it off. And the foundation, a few shades too light for her mocha color, didn’t cover the roughness of her weathered skin. But her eyebrows fascinated Jasmine the most. They had been shaved and replaced by a thick black penciled line that almost looked like an inverted V.
    Without looking at her, the woman said, “You’re new to this building.”
    Jasmine didn’t know if her words were a statement or a question. And she didn’t know why the woman sounded angry. But she responded, “Yes.”
    For the first time, the woman looked at her directly. She frowned. “Yes? Is that all you have to say?”
    Now Jasmine frowned, confused.
    “Didn’t your parents teach you any manners?” the woman blurted as if she were a teacher reprimanding an unruly student.
    Jasmine’s eyebrows raised. Who do you think…
    The woman continued through Jasmine’s thoughts.