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swiveled her chair so that her back was to the door, picked up the phone, and smiled into the receiver. “Mr. Greene,” she greeted him, with as much calm as she could manage.
    He told her a joke about how he'd been on the phone all morning, feeling like the Grim Reaper. She had not yet exhaled, but she chuckled along. Behind her, she could feel her team edging their way into the office, and she wondered if all twenty-five associates were present.
    “Yes, Mr. Green,” they heard her finally say. “Yes.” Her voice was flat.
    “I cant take this,” Dianna whispered.
    No one in the room seemed to breathe as they waited to hear the verdict.
    “Thank you very much, Mr. Greene,” Anya said. “I understand.” As she hung up the phone, she faced the anxious group, her face expressionless.
    Everyone held still, waiting to hear her words.
    “David, may I speak to you … alone?”
    The group backed out in noiseless disappointment.
    “Anya, I should stay,” Alaister said.
    “No, let me talk to David. Then I'll meet with you.”
    Before Alaister closed the door, he glanced back and shook his head.
    David sank into a chair and held his head in his hands. “I am so sorry, Anya. I was sure—”
    “Sorry?” Anya kept her voice steady. “Is that all you have to say?”
    He nodded, keeping his head down.
    “Which part are you sorry about?” She walked around her desk, perching on it in front of him. “Are you sorry that you won't have any time for leisurely lunches? Or because you'll probably ask me for a raise?
    His head jerked up and his eyes blinked rapidly. “Wait a minute …”
    Anya smiled.
    David jumped from his seat. “You mean we got it?” His voice was barely a whisper.
    Anya bobbed her head like an excited child.
    “Whoopee!” David yelped and grabbed Anya, hugging and lifting her off her desk.
    The door immediately opened, and Dianna tiptoed in. “Did you just say, ‘Whoopee’?”
    Anya and David ignored her as they danced a jig. The associates cheered and tried to enter the office all at the same time to join in the jubilant dance. Alaister was the last to enter, and Anya rushed to him, hugging him. He drew back a bit and Anya frowned slightly, then smiled when he hugged her back.
    “Congratulations,” she said. “You did a great job, Alaister.”
    He seemed almost breathless. “I thought we had it, then I wasn't sure—”
    Anya motioned with her hands to silence the group. “There's something I'd like to say.” She paused. “We got the account!” She held up David's and Alaister's hands in victory and everyone applauded. “And though this business belongs to Alaister's group, I thank all of you because this was a team effort.” She smiled into the sea of black, white, and brown faces that grinned back “This is one of the best teams I've ever worked with.”
    “We love you too, Anya,” Mark Simmons yelled, and more cheers followed.
    Her smile widened. “We have to celebrate.” The group muttered their agreement. “Well, what about tonight, since it's Friday?” Anya asked no one in particular.
    In unison, the group howled and hooted their approval.
    “Dianna?”
    “Don't worry about a thing.” Dianna waved her hand in the air as she headed back to her desk “I'll get right on it. I can have something set in an hour or two. This is so exciting.”
    “Okay, let's get back to work.” David ignored the groans as he ushered the group from Anya's office. He was the last one to step out, and before he did, he turned back “Congratulations … Boss,” he said with a deep-dimpled smile.
    Alone, Anya leaned against her closed door. Her body trembled as she absorbed this news. She wanted to sing. She wanted to dance. But most of all, she wanted to praise God.
    She picked up her old Bible from the corner of her desk. Loose papers slipped out and she sorted through them. Her grandmother had taught her how to develop prayers from scriptures, and she'd written many down. She read through