Sam walks into the gym and heads towards his office. He nods at his employee, Kacey, at the front desk. "Good morning."

Kacey doesn't respond to him. He's too shocked at Sam's new behavior. Another employee, Felicia, rushes to Kacey. "Am I trippin', or did he just say Good Morning to you?"

"Okay, so you heard that, too?"

"I think he even smiled a little bit."

"Nah. You're seeing things now."

Another employee, Marshall, enters the gym and approaches Kacey and Felicia. "What's up y'all?"

"Hey Marshall."

"Is Sam in, yet?"

"Yeah he's here. So you're really gonna go through with it, huh?"

"I mean... the worse he can say is no."

"True. Good luck, man."

Kacey and Felicia dap Marshall up before he walks to Sam's office. Marshall knocks on the door and hears Sam say, "Come in." He looks back at his co-workers before opening the door. Kacey and Felicia look at him like he's crazy for even approaching Sam's office.

Marshall closes the door behind him as Sam responds to a few emails. Sam eventually looks up and does a double take at Marshall. "I thought you were off today?"

"I am, but I needed to come in and talk to you about something."

Sam gives Marshall his full attention. "What is it?"

"So... umm... " Marshall begins scratching his head, trying to overcome his nervousness. Sam hates that he puts fear in his employees, but he rather have it that way than to have them take advantage of his kindness.

"Just say it."

"...My brother surprised me with a trip for my 21st birthday. I know it's last minute, but he literally just told me this yesterday."

"When is it? Next week?"

"This weekend."

Sam narrows his eyes. "Why didn't you just say tomorrow?"

"Well, technically it is this weekend."

"You must don't wanna go."

"My fault boss." Marshall sighs, worriedly. "Can I please take off tomorrow? I'll work two extra days next week, if you need me to."

Sam's cold stare causes Marshall to break his eye contact with him. Moments later, Sam finally responds. "Go ahead. I'll find someone to cover your shift."

Marshall's eyes get bigger than they should. "For real?"

Sam tilts his head as if he wants to say, Nah... for play play. Marshall takes the hint. "You're right. I don't even know why I asked that. Thank you so much Sam. I really appreciate this."

"Yep." Sam refocuses on his work while Marshall is stuck there smiling at Sam.

"You have one second to leave my office before I change my mind," Sam commands without looking up at him.

Marshall runs out with the quickness, and heads straight to the front desk, grinning. Felicia turns her nose up in confusion. "I have never seen anyone take rejection so well."

"He said, yeah."

"You're lying."

"Real shit."

"You're serious?"

"Yeah, woman," he laughs.

Felicia's jaw drops. "Oh shit. I knew something was off when he said Good Morning to Kacey."

"Sam told Kacey Good Morning?!"

She nods. "Kacey! You better ask Sam for some time off while he's in a good mood!"

Kacey, flirting with a client, looks over at Felicia in shock, and then runs over to the front desk. He puts his hands on his hips, and studies Marshall's facial expression. "He really gave it to you?!"

"Yep. And he said he would find someone to cover my shift."

Kacey does an about-face, and then marches straight to Sam's office. Felicia chuckles at him. "If he approves Kacey, I'm taking a vacation."

Sam is reading a text Yemi just sent him, when he hears knocking on his door. "Yeah?"

The door cracks open and Kacey peaks in. "Can I come in?"

"What's up?"

Kacey enters, grinning hard. "Boss man. I was wondering if I can take some time off next week? You know, before anyone else comes to you about it."

Sam locks his phone, and then looks up at Kacey with annoyance written on his face. "Alright, now y'all playing."

Kacey's smile drops instantly. "No, no. I just thought I-"

"I don't wanna hear it." Sam gets up and approaches Kacey at the doorway. Kacey steps back in response. He stumbles, walking backwards away from the door. Sam looks towards the front desk. "Yo! If anyone else asks me for time off without submitting a two weeks' notice, I will make sure you have a permanent vacation."

Felicia scurries off to the workout equipment as Kacey runs back to the front desk.

"Why're you still here, Marshall?"

"I was just on my way out."

"Just make sure you find someone to cover your shift."

Marshall's jaw drops.

"If someone isn't here for you tomorrow, consider yourself fired."

"Wait, Mr. Carter. I thought you said you were going to find someone for me?"

"Yeah, that was before you came out here recruiting people to take time off."

"Nah, I swear-"

"You shouldn't've been out here bragging." Sam goes back into his office, and closes the door before Marshall can say anything else.

"We don' ran the nice Sam away."

Felicia laughs at Kacey's comment while hiding near the equipment. Marshall stomps out.

---

Yemi, walking towards her work truck, unlocks her phone and reads the text Sam just sent.

8:00am

Read 8:00am

8:10am

8:11am

8:11am

Yemi smiles. "Yemi!" Yemi turns around and sees Kaylin jogging up to her. Her smile drops.

"Hi Kaylin."

"What's up? Mr. Dunn told me we're partners today."

"Oh. Umm. Okay."

Kaylin senses her hesitancy. "You're alright?"

"Oh yeah, I'm just not used to having a partner. That's all."

"Well, good thing it's me, right?" He playfully bumps her shoulder. Yemi fakes a quick laugh in return.

He squints at her, suspicious of her demeanor. Yemi leads him to the work truck, and they both hop inside in silence.

"Yemi, did I do something?"

"What? No. I'm just tired, that's all."

"Is that why you didn't call me back, last night?"

"Oh shoot. I forgot you called me. I was... preoccupied."

"No worries. I figured you had knocked out early. Anyway, mom dukes said she's throwing you a housewarming party whether you like it or not." They both chuckle.

"So she's going to throw it without me being there?"

"You really wouldn't show up?"

"Well. My friend Veronica wanted to throw one for me and I told her no. It wouldn't be right if I went to your mom's."

Yemi drives out of the parking lot while Kaylin plugs his phone into the AUX. A parked car, right outside of the parking lot, follows them down the street. The tints on the window block the view of the driver.

"You should let people do things for you, Yemi. They're blessings, not hand-outs."

"You sound like my boyfriend." Yemi's eyes buck, realizing she just gave Kaylin some information he may not want. She looks over at his expression.

"Boyfriend? When did this happen?"

"...Last night. I know how you feel about me, so I was going to hold on telling you, so I wouldn't hurt your feelings."

"What're you talking about? We're just friends. You can tell me anything."

"Oh. Umm okay. I just thought- because your mom was saying that you-"

"It's all good, Yemi. I'm happy you found someone you're interested in."

As Yemi approaches a red light, the same inconspicuous car pulls up behind them. Kaylin looks out the window, trying to hide the disappointment on his face. The light turns green, and the car follows Yemi and Kaylin without them noticing.