Summary

In 1983, two Black women attend a party at Wagner. One of them, Kendra Rae Phillips, is an editor at Wagner. The other is an author named Diana Gordon, who has recently had her novel, Burning Heart, published through Wagner, where Kendra Rae has worked as her editor. The pair briefly clash over whether Richard Wagner is trustworthy before Kendra Rae agrees to meet Diana and Richard for a photo opportunity.

The morning after Nella’s conversation with Colin she arrives at work twenty minutes late. She bumps into Hazel in the lobby and feels upstaged when Hazel gives the receptionist, India, a birthday gift. Hazel and Nella chat about hair care before Nella runs into Vera, who scolds her for being late. Nella takes the opportunity to fill Hazel in on the conversation that occurred between her and Colin and Hazel reassures...