"I never considered it a joke," I add softly. "I phoned because you couldn't see me." Because you left after one night."

"Well?" I know Arcadia's question is rhetorical. "I should've listened to myself." I shouldn't have texted. I should've left without thinking about you. I wouldn't feel tricked and degraded."

I approach her. "Don't be embarrassed, baby..." I start, but she contorts as she sees me.

"Fuck off, you creep!" she shouts. "You lied!" You had a million chances. You didn't spit at me until I told you I loved you. Face-palm. Paul Caspar or King William , you're Client 5 now. Some fuckwad who pays per minute to...