“Uh-huh. I’m sure.” What was he after? Did he really want to see her or was she the easiest way to solve a problem? She wasn’t about to make her heart vulnerable again, even for this handsome, charming man. His energy drew her in every time, and her brain refused to stop the slide show from the culminating moments of their last date—the skin on his dusky chest, slick with sweat under her palms; his lusty groans vibrating against her shoulder; his smell, like the earth after a rain; the salty, ocean-tinged taste of him. He pleased every one of her senses. He’d pleased her multiple times.

“I know you have no reason to say yes. But what if we call it a meeting. No strings attached. Two friends eating together? Anywhere you want. We can even go in to the city.”

“Anywhere?”

“Yes. Absolutely.”

“Alright,” she said thoughtfully, propping her chin with her fist. Something had just occurred to her. “Then I’m gonna get something out of it, hermano. Let’s go to the Peacock. Frank said if I brought you back in and talked you into getting your picture taken with him, he’d let me have my job back. After tomorrow, I’m probably going to need it.”

Both Gabriela and Duke looked at her sharply.

“Girl, what you talkin’ about?” Gabriela asked. “You too good for that place. You’ll get a nursing job, easy peasy.”

“Mmm.” Angel hadn’t meant to say that aloud. “You know. Tomorrow is my exit interview. Not sure if I’m going to pass my practicum or not.”

“Oh, please. You bust your ass for that clinic.” Gabriela turned back to Duke, running her fingers through his hair again. She was done, but she clearly didn’t want to stop touching him.

Angel forced a small laugh. “Ha. I know. I worry too much.”

Duke hadn’t said anything, but he was watching her. She hoped he wouldn’t ask about Dr. Collins directly; she didn’t know if she could keep the man’s threats to herself.

Instead, he said, “The Peacock it is.”

Gabriela squinted at Angel, butting in. “Are you sure? You don’t need to do this. Not any of it.” She dug her fingers into Duke’s scalp, making him wince before she released him. “Jose will be done with practice soon. I’ll go get him. If that’s what you want, Angel, you two go ahead.”

“I can’t stay long.” Angel hadn’t meant this minute. It was early for dinner. She glanced at Duke. “Why don’t you go ahead? I’ll meet you there in thirty minutes.” She flipped a hand over her scrubs. “I couldn’t care less what anyone at the Peacock thinks, but I don’t want your photographers immortalizing me with smeared mascara and stained scrubs, looking like I just ran a marathon.”

“A triathlon, really,” Gabriela said.