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notice to move within three days plastered on her door first thing in the morning. She’d begged her landlord to give her more time to come up with the rent, but it had been a month and a half since she’d had any money to give. She’d been laid off from her job three months ago and had yet to find another one. If only that call center had waited just a few more months until she’d gotten her teaching certificate before they’d sent her packing, then she might have been able to rebound more quickly.
    Anyway, in a few days she was going to be homeless in Atlanta, the last thing she’d ever wanted. Of course, she could go home to her family in Ohio, but she was getting too old to keep running back home every time she lost a job—or a man.
    She needed encouragement, and a miracle.
    When the choir director, Brother Odom, asked for any prayer requests, the usually timid Montana jumped out of her seat. She was desperate for a breakthrough, and that desperation broke down every bit of her shyness and inhibition.
    â€œWhat’s your prayer request, Montana? Or do you have a testimony?” Brother Odom asked.
    Montana shook her head sadly, and before she began to speak, tears started to trickle down her face. “Maybe soon I’ll have a testimony, but right now I’m in the middle of a test. Some of you know I’ve been unemployed for three months. I do receive unemployment, but I’m about to be evicted from my apartment. Y’all, please pray for me. I have a few job interviews lined up, but I won’t be able to get a substitute teaching job until the beginning of next school year. I need this like yesterday.”
    Montana slowly eased herself back down in her seat. She felt lighter after sharing her struggle. The hugs and words of prayer and encouragement helped too.
    After rehearsal, Montana’s friend Emoni, the daughter of the pastor, came up to her and gave her a hug. “Girl, you sang that song, for real! You know that God’s got you, right?”
    Montana nodded and hugged her friend back. There was no one in Atlanta that Montana was closer to than Emoni, but even she didn’t know the extent of Montana’s financial problems.
    â€œI know He’s got me. It might not feel like it sometimes, but . . .”
    â€œBut nothing. Things are going to change for you. I feel it in my spirit,” Emoni said.
    â€œOkay. No buts. I just wish He’d hurry up.”
    Emoni stroked Montana’s arm lovingly and squeezed her hand. “We’re all going to Houlihan’s. You want to ride over with us? Trent’s going to be there . . .”
    Montana rolled her eyes playfully and chuckled. Emoni was always trying to hook her up with someone. The current eligible bachelor was a guy named Trent. He was nice enough, but Montana wasn’t attracted to him at all. He was the opposite of everything she liked physically. And while she knew looks weren’t everything, they were something. Plus, she didn’t have McDonald’s money, much less Houlihan’s.
    â€œI’m gonna pass, okay? Don’t be mad at me.”
    Emoni twisted her lips into a frown. “It’s Saturday night. Are you just gonna turn into an old maid hermit?”
    â€œWhy I gotta be an old maid and a hermit?”
    â€œCome on, girl. I know your money is tight. I’ll spot you for dinner.”
    The thought of a real meal made Montana’s mouth water. She hadn’t had a steak in about six months, since her ex-boyfriend Rio had taken her out for a reconciliation dinner.
    Rio. Montana’s stomach flipped at the thought of him. If she wanted to resolve her financial problems instantly, all she had to do was call Rio and welcome him back into her bedroom. It would be as easy as stepping into a pair of Victoria’s Secret panties and teddy.
    Montana remembered the day they’d met. It replayed over and over in her mind like a video stuck on