Page 36 of Prince of Darkness

“Hit me,” Amelia says, holding her hand up high, waiting for my high five. I smack her hand. She starts to booty dance all around. Everyone turns to look at her but she doesn't give a crap. “That commission is going to be sick,” she says as she keeps on dancing. Mrs. Brenner comes out of her office, smiling and shaking her head before turning and going back in. Amelia never gets in trouble for anything. She’s the gold star around here. She kicks butt when it comes to getting people to pay their debt. No wonder she can just bust a move in the center of the office and no one thinks twice about it.

“Let’s rock this day because we’re going out tonight.” She dances back to her desk. I don’t want to think about the commission I am going to make on Mr. Kennedy because I still have work to get through for the day. I make my next call promising myself that I’ll be stern but I stumble over my words and fail again. Maggie from Oregon Falls is having a hard time. She’s taking care of her bedridden mother and has been unable to keep a steady job. My heart breaks for her. I move her name to the do not call list for a few weeks. That will give her a little time to catch up and get some of her things in order. She doesn't need us bothering her while she does it. She has enough on her plate. By the end of the day my high from the success of my first call is gone. Even if the man’s voice is still rattling around in my head, I still feel defeated. It is hard telling people about bills they owe and then listening to their sad stories. Each one chips away a little bit of my heart. I sigh, knowing that I won’t be able to do this for much longer. Sure, I’ll survive off the commission that I’m going to get from Mr. Kennedy’s case but he’s one in a million.

“You ready?” Amelia pops her head over the top of my cubicle. Something that I could never manage at my height. Even if I wore heels, I’d still struggle to see over it. Wearing heels is not something I do very often either.

“Kind of want a long bath and my pajamas,” I admit. Calling people all day may not seem stressful but their hardships wear on you, mentally exhausting you.

“Well, you don’t have a tub and it’s happy hour at Harpo’s. Half price drinks and apps. Suck it up, buttercup.” She comes around my desk and begins to pull my chair.

“Fine.” I reach under my desk, grabbing my bag before we head out. “You’re so pushy. No wonder you’re good at this job.”

“Damn right I am. You have to shut off those emotions. Follow my lead. I won’t steer you wrong.” She grabs my arm and we head out of the office. “I still can’t believe you got that collection. I’ve never seen one that big before. I’d think someone would sue over something like that. Not send it to a collection agency.” She reaches up, pulling her hair down from her blonde ponytail and giving it a fluff before pulling out her lipstick and putting on a fresh layer. Before I can do anything, which I wasn't going to anyway, she reaches for my ponytail and pulls it down. She doesn't hand me her lipstick but fishes out some lip gloss to give me, knowing I’ll never put the lipstick on. I reluctantly take it. It’s easier to just do it then put up a small battle of wills that she’ll end up winning. “It’s your lucky day. Know what I mean?” She winks at me.

“I’m not getting lucky.” I laugh. A one night stand that I pick up at a happy hour does not sound lucky to me. It’s not that I’m holding on to my V card with all my might but I’m sure as hell not going to let it go like that.

“Get your mind out of the gutter, you little slut. I meant lucky as in someone buying our drinks.”

I snort a laugh because she’s a liar. “I’m wearing a shirt with kittens on it,” I remind her as I point to it. We don't have to dress up for work. I could show up in yoga pants and sneaks if I wanted. Today I was in jeans, thankfully.

“Yeah, you scream virgin.” She shakes her head. “Men are into that. They’re going to love your little pussy.” My mouth drops open at her crude words. “You’re such a dirty girl. I’m talking about your shirt.” She smiles like the devil she is. I can’t help but laugh because I love her sassy self.

I roll my eyes ‘cause gross. “I am a virgin.” I sigh.

“’Cause you won’t let me set you up with anyone.” She pouts about that. She is always trying to set me up on dates. I couldn't bring myself to ever do it. I’m shy and the lead-up to the date would be killer. “We could double!”

“Can I think about it?” I know if I don’t try I’ll end up alone knitting every night and hating my job. That sounds so promising.

“You can think about it while you have a cocktail.” She opens the door to Harpo’s for me. We bypass the hostess, going straight for one of the high top bar tables.

“We’ll have our normal,” Amelia tells Charlie, who nods from behind the bar. After my third glass of chardonnay, Amelia has talked me into a double date. I’m a lightweight and she knows it. She tricked me. I might as well go along with it because she’ll be relentless until I do it.

“Okay. I promise this guy is worth it.”

“Then why aren't you dating him?” I take a bite of one of the remaining mozzarella sticks.

“I’m still seeing Sam.” She gives a lazy shrug. “You remember my friend Kim? It’s her brother.”

“The one you went to college with?” I ask, trying to recall.

“Yeah, we don’t hang like we used to. She went and had kids and all that but she is always trying to hook her brother up and he’s hot.” She licks her lips when she talks about this hot brother.

“Hot isn't what I’m looking for.” Okay. It’s not like I want ugly but hot isn’t on the top of my list. To be honest, I don’t know what I’m looking for. My mind flashes to the sexy voice from the phone call earlier this morning. Mr. Kennedy’s voice made me tingle all over. That’s what I am looking for. Instant attraction. I believe that love at first sight crap. I’ve probably read too many romance books and might not be rational about this.

“Okay, well I went to Kim’s for lunch a few weeks ago and he stopped by. You should have seen him with her little boys. I don’t even want kids and he made my panties melt. My reproductive system was begging me to let him impregnate it.” She wiggles her eyebrows. She’s so vulgar sometimes but that’s one part that I love about her. She’s the exact opposite of me and she helps me come out of my shell.

“Then maybe you should move on from Sam and give this guy a chance?” I dip my mozzarella stick in the marinara.

“He didn't even notice me.” She waves her hand, picking up her martini and taking a sip.

“Oh but he’ll notice me?” I laugh, taking another drink of my wine.

“We’re night and day. If I’m not his type then you are.” This is true. We are opposites in every way. Still, Amelia is every man's type. I often wonder why she works in a call center and not as a model. She’s both inwardly and outwardly beautiful once you dig down inside. She has a tough exterior but she's a marshmallow once you get to the center. She is also great at reading people. I didn’t have to dig to get there. With me she is an open book. I think it’s because we get along so well.

“I guess we’ll see when we go on our date. You underestimate yourself. I bet he won’t be able to stop calling you once he meets you.” I roll my eyes at her, knowing that this date idea has disaster written all over it.

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