On Tuesday, I could still barely sit, but thanks to some aspirin, I managed to make it through my classes. I ended up back in the library to start the outline from my research, which meant I'd be working with Lori.
I was still shifting around uncomfortably when she sat down next to me. "Hey. How are you?"
"All right," I shrugged.
"How did last night go? Who'd you get?"
"Al."
"Oh jeez," she said, concerned. "I had him once. I guess he shows up once a month or so and Beverly rotates him so no one ends up with him over and over."
"Great."
"Look, Marri, I know he's terrible, but most of the guys aren't like that. A lot of them are just lonely."
"Whatever." I was starting to wish she'd never even told me about Torch in the first place. I was ready to turn in my keys and never go back. What could they do? Sue me? Hard to do when it wasn't exactly a legal job to begin with.
"Marri, you're not quitting are you?"
"Why? You lose out on some kind of bonus if I go?"
"No," she said, sounding a little hurt. "I just think you'd like it if you let yourself."
"Beverly didn't even warn me about him."
"Oh, everybody knows Beverly's a bitch," she said dismissively. "He probably paid extra so she wouldn't tell you."
"So what am I supposed to do? Go back there and pretend like nothing happened?"
"Yes. Exactly."
I sighed.
"I guess I could stick it out for a little longer," I conceded.
"Good," she said, smiling. "Now, should we get back to this paper? I need a good grade."
We went back to work. We had the whole thing mapped out in under an hour, and we decided to pack it in and head over to Torch.
"You know," she murmured on our way out, "Della is out of town for a couple of days, and I get really lonesome when I sleep alone."
Before I could respond, she darted off, leaving me there with my mouth open.
* * * * *
"Marri, your client is here." It was Mr. Earl's voice on the intercom, and I was relieved. I figured he wouldn't set me up with someone like Al, at least not right away.