“That does sound like me,” Zack admitted. “But no, I took the low-key route for once. I might need a reference from Colette.”

“Are you planning on sticking to sex work? Because I don’t think a letter of recommendation saying how good you are at phone fucking is going to matter much if you’re aiming for middle management.”

Zack cursed. He hadn’t thought of that.

Alexa pulled a pack of cigarettes out of her hoodie and handed it to Zack. He waved it off. He wasn’t in the mood.

“So,” she said after lighting her cig and taking a puff, “what’s your plan?”

Zack shrugged and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I dunno. Collect unemployment for a while until I figure out what I want to do?”

“Sounds good to me.” She clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m weirdly proud of you. Don’t get me wrong, I loved working with you, but I was hoping you’d move on to greener pastures. Besides, you’re a cigarette leech.”

Zack smiled, but he thought that his greener pastures seemed more like festering cesspools. “Yeah, well, tell that to the bills I have to pay.”

“You’ll figure something out. I know that’s trite, but it’s true.”

She dragged on her cigarette and gave him a sidelong look. “Speaking of money, any word from John?”

Zack shook his head. “I mean, he’s texted me a few times, but I haven’t replied.”

“Good. Serves the cheating bastard right.” She took another drag and ground her half-finished cigarette out beneath her heel. “I have to go back in. I left a client on the line.”

Zack squinted. “Pretty sure he’s hung up by now.”

“No, no, he likes it when I ignore him. He won’t even realize I’m gone.” Before Zack could react, Alexa stood on tiptoe and threw her arms around him.

Zack was almost too stunned to react. “What, no punch on the arm?”

“Shut up,” she said affectionately. “I’m sorry you got fired. Everything is going to be all right. Want to come out with me and Kira tonight and get shitfaced?”

“Hell yeah. I lost my boyfriend and my job in a two-week period. Alcohol is mandatory.”

“Awesome. I’ll text you when my shift is over.”

Alexa went back inside, and Zack headed home, already buzzing with excitement. He burrowed into his wardrobe, determined to be the hottest unemployed loser to ever grace the LA club scene. He put on black skinny jeans, a vest with no shirt underneath, and a red tie that he knotted lazily around his throat. It just begged for someone to use it to haul him closer. He ran some gel through his hair and tousled it until it was messy in a practiced way.