It was a cool night, and the air helped the brain fog lift. They walked down the alley, like any good prostitute and her john. About halfway down, Josh stopped.

“Cammie, I don’t know how this works, but—” he said.

“That’s fine, sweetie. We can do whatever you want. You just have to Venmo me three grand.”

Jesus. That was a lot. Not that he’d ever paid for sex before, but that was a very high hourly rate. Focus, idiot, he told himself. “What I mean is, I don’t know how it works, but I don’t need to know because . . . I don’t want to sleep with you.” He felt himself flush, afraid he might hurt her feelings. “Also, I feel like I might be breaking the law,” he said. “Which I generally don’t do.”

“Oh. A good Catholic boy?”

“Lutheran.”

“Most of my clients are Catholic. I mean, this is Rhode Island.”

“Right.”

Cammie thought a minute. “Okay. Here’s the deal. You’re sweet. You’re lonely. I love your story, and you’re cute. I’ll kiss you for free. Anything else, you pay.”

“I didn’t want anything else. Not because you’re not beautiful or . . . you know. You’re very sweet and likable. And beautiful. I’m just . . .” He swallowed. “I’m still in love with my wife.”

The words sounded huge in the alley.

“Aw, sweetie. I get that. I do.” She leaned against the brick building. “I would kill to have someone be that in love with me.”

“I’m sure there are many people in love with you,” he said honestly.

She shrugged, smiling. “True. I just haven’t found the one, as they say. Well.” She tilted her head. “You ready to be kissed?”

“Oh. Um. Sure.” His face felt hot, and his hands were clammy.

“You want tongue?”

“No, thank you.”

“God. The manners on you.” She smiled, then leaned in and kissed him, their lips interlocking. His hands went to her waist. Her lips were very smooth and firm, and it was . . . nice. Quite nice. Lovely, in fact. He didn’t hate it. It just felt . . . new.

Then he pulled back. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Thank you, too, hon.” She wiped a little lipstick from the corner of his mouth. “We could be friends, you know.”

“I’d like that.”

She ruffled his hair. “Okay. Well, I got another date at ten, so if you don’t need me anymore . . . ?”

“I’m good. Thanks.”

“Okay. Can I call you an Uber? I’m getting one for myself.”

“I’ll walk. Take care, Cammie.”

“You too, hon. See you around.”

He started walking toward the river, then turned around. “Hey, Cammie.”

“Yeah?”

“If you want an investor for Shine, let me know.”

She folded her arms and gave him a fond smile. “You. You’re the sweetest thing ever. I just might take you up on that.”