“I know that trick too.” Sergio sighs. “You spend weeks pretending to look for the documents. Then you pretend to have sent them. After a few weeks, you suggest they are lost in the post, and we have to go through the whole process again.”

“I wouldn’t do that. I spent all weekend getting them together and I can send the statement to you today.”

Sergio laughs. “How refreshing. Please do send it to me. I would be delighted to read it. You have my details in the letter I sent. But I will tell you now the minimum payment will not change. That is our final number.” He emphasizes the last two words in a voice so loud I have to hold the phone away from my ear.

I do some quick mental calculations. I have the paychecks from Redemption. If I work another weekend at the club, and stick to my noodle diet, I just might be able to make the first payment. And maybe lose some weight. Helllooo, skinny jeans. Surely by then the Education Commission will have acknowledged my complaint and realized their mistake.

“Okay. I’ll do my best.”

“Do you hate me now? Are you going to hang up? Swear at me? Everyone does.” The slightly needy tone in his voice makes the skin on my neck prickle.

“No. I don’t hate you. You’re doing your job and I’m trying to understand that.”

Sergio sighs. “You seem like a nice person, Ms. Delaney. Honest, trustworthy, and from your file photo, very pretty. I enjoy talking to you. I can’t say that about my other debtors. Please don’t disappoint me. I would hate to have to get heavy-handed with you.”

I suck in a sharp breath. “Is that a threat?”

“Of course not. By law, I’m not allowed to make threats, and I would never do something I’m not allowed to do.” Sergio’s tone lightens. “Now, how about a joke?”

“A joke?”

“You brightened my day last week with your amusing story. I was able to return the favor in my own way. My personal circumstances are such that I don’t have many opportunities to smile. Perhaps you might wish to build up some more goodwill. You never know when you might need it.”

My jaw tightens. The last thing I want to do right now is tell a joke, but the tone of his voice suggests it is not really a request. I lean back and stare at the ceiling. “A debt collector walked into a bar…”

***

How’s my girl today?

I’m not ur girl

Max frowns

Silly. Learn to text. Frown like this **frowns**

**frowns**

That’s a lot of frowning

Your fault

Sorry. Bad day

Will cheer you up. What r u doing for lunch?

Eating with a friend

Lascivious doctor friend?

No

Crazy black hair friend?

No

Amanda?

No

Male friend?

Yes

**frowns**

Stop frowning. U saw him. Works beside me

Lunch with male friend approved

Gee, tx

Please seek prior approval for all lunches with male friends

Ha ha **rolls eyes**

No ha ha **frowns**

Gotta run. Male friend is here **winks**

***

“So, how was your weekend?” Charlie beats a rhythm on his Justin Bieber lunch kit while I grab my brown paper lunch bag and purse from my desk drawer.

“Same old. Same old.” My lips quiver with a repressed smile. “How was your course this morning?”

“Same old. Same old.” Charlie shrugs. “I think that’s the fifth time I’ve had to take Customer Relations 101. This time, I’ve learned to smile. Imagine that! People like people who smile. No wonder I haven’t been able to get a date.”

“I had a sort-of date.” I give Charlie a wink and then vacate the cubicle for Jenny, our new temp trainee. Charlie and I walk down the corridor toward the cafeteria.

“No!” Charlie clutches his chest in mock horror and staggers backward. “You had a date? Was he breathing?”

I punch him in the shoulder. “You’re just jealous.”

“I have to admit I do have an itch to punch the as-yet-unidentified bastard in the face for moving in on my territory. I should have marked you—maybe pissed on your feet.”

“I meant you’re jealous I had a date.”

“I had a date too.”

Charlie drops hints about his mystery date, but I’m only half listening. I see Torment in every shadow. I hear his husky voice in every corridor. I smell the fresh, citrus scent of his cologne. I imagine his arms wrapped around me. I wish he hadn’t just dropped me off on Saturday night but Colton had insisted on having him checked out by his private doctor.

“Mac. There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“Good afternoon, Doctor Drake.” Charlie spares me the embarrassment of being totally unaware of my surroundings by being overly genial and shaking Dr. Drake’s hand.

Dr. Drake frowns and turns to me. “I’ve been looking for you.”

My heart sinks in my chest. Did Big Doris file a complaint after handing me two green slips in the space of an hour? How was I to know two chair casters have to be under the desk at all times?

“Ready for our lunch date?” He winks and flashes his pearly whites.

Oh God. I totally forgot. “Um. Actually, I…I brought my lunch. Maybe we could do it another day.”

Dr. Drake plucks my lunch bag from my hand with this thumb and index finger. Without even looking over his shoulder, he tosses it backward and into the garbage can.