“Why do you keep saying my name?”

John looked surprised. “Do I?”

“Yeah. I don’t mind, but it’s just us at this table. I know you’re talking to me.”

John slid his fingers through his hair. It glimmered like gold thread in the dim light. “I suppose I’m trying to break myself of the habit of calling you Wesley.”

“Oh,” Zack said. Awkward. “That makes sense. Sorry again about that. I wasn’t allowed to tell you my real name. A lot of my clients don’t tell me theirs either. I thought John was a play on words when you first called.”

John waved him off. “We don’t have to talk about your job tonight. I know how weird this must be for you, being out on a date with a client. I’ll be the first to admit I’m not sure how to proceed. I was half-convinced you weren’t going to show up. You must have been worried I would turn out to be some kind of pervert.”

“You’re right,” Zack deadpanned. “I almost didn’t show up. I mean, I don’t know about most guys, but sexy, fit blonds are so not my style. I vastly prefer the married grandfathers and prank callers that have made up the majority of my clientele since I started working for Murmur Inc.”

John’s mouth twisted oddly, like he was torn between laughing and grimacing. Zack smiled to show that he was kidding.

“I don’t mean to sound bitter. I enjoy my job. Plus, I like to think I’m good at what I do.”

John’s eyes blazed. “I agree.”

Zack swallowed thickly. “As for the date, of course I showed up. I’ve already told you that I think you’re gorgeous, so I won’t repeat myself, but you’re also . . .”

“Yes?”

He thought for a moment before speaking. “I enjoy talking to you. And I don’t just mean the sex part. I liked the rapport we had, even before we met in person.”

John looked pleased. “Me too. You’re funny, and you have a lot of personality, even when you’re pretending to be someone else.”

“Thanks. People tell me I should have gone into theater all the time.”

“I don’t mean to pry,” John said, “but on the subject of alternate careers, what’s someone who looks like you doing working as a phone sex operator?”

Zack took a swig of whiskey and fiddled with the glass. “No offense, but I hate that question.” This was one of the reasons why he didn’t date much. People just couldn’t handle what he did for a living. Sooner or later, they always ended up judging him.