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error until she really got the hang of it. Lexi was responsible for charging insurance companies for services rendered through the clinic. Insurance billing could be boring and overwhelming, but as she worked, she thought less about Caleb. Apparently a temp from a staffing agency had done this job before her, but not thoroughly—there was a large amount of money still pending to be paid on the patients’ accounts.
    Lunchtime arrived a little too quickly. The office closed daily from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., though the lunch hour was 12:00 to 1:00. An administrative interval was from 1:00 to 2:00, which gave the staff time to catch up from the morning.
    Lexi stretched back in her chair and then logged off the computer and went to the break room. Her stomach rumbled. Missy sat there with a large salad, diet Dr Pepper, and a People magazine.
    “Hi,” Lexi said. She set her lunch bag down on the table. Getting to know new people always felt awkward, but there was no avoiding it.
    Missy looked up from her magazine. “Oh, hi, Lexi. How are you liking it so far? I mean, your job?” Missy asked and then took a sip of her soda.
    “So far, so good, I guess. The job is great, but it’s an adjustment,” Lexi said as she pulled out her tea, sandwich, and yogurt. She unfolded a napkin to eat over.
    “You’ll be fine. No one is going to yell at you if you make a mistake. I’m sure it will make more sense after you’ve been here awhile.” Missy stabbed a cherry tomato with her fork and popped it into her mouth.
    “Where’s everyone else? I mean for lunch?” Lexi looked around the vacant break room.
    “Well, I think Dr. Hale had to slip over to the hospital for a meeting. Tony had to go to the bank, and Yvette and Linda went to the deli for a sandwich.” Missy rolled her eyes as she scanned the article about the Duggars.
    Caleb hadn’t been mentioned, which only meant more digging would be required. “So where’s Dr. Avery today?” Lexi asked and then bit off a piece of her sandwich in mock casualness.
    “Oh, well, when he is in, he usually eats in his office, but he’s off the rest of the week. He is working through some things with his girlfriend,” Missy said as she turned the page of her magazine.
    “I see.” Lexi took another bite of her sandwich, which stagnated in her hollow stomach. It ached, but no longer from hunger. Lexi managed to finish her lunch, although chewing seemed more like a chore.
    “So…what’s your story, Lexi?” Missy asked once she’d shut her magazine.
    “Well, my story… If anything, it would be a novella. I’m originally from here, but recently moved back here from Florida. I live with my cousin Ashley, and this is my first real job after my graduation,” Lexi answered honestly, leaving out the painful parts. She withheld her mother’s short battle with cancer and the loss of her family home to auction. How her boyfriend had cheated on her with a friend of hers, and how she’d walked in on them naked. No, only the most basic of information was up for discussion, especially with someone she barely knew.
    She directed the attention back to Missy. “So what about you? How long have you worked here?”
    “Let me think,” Missy said as she tapped her free hand on the table. “I’ve been here going on three years this winter,” she said. She seemed eager to say more.
    “What’s fun to do around here?” Lexi asked.
    “Well, that really depends on what you’re into. There are countless wintery activities with all the snow we have, but I’m not really into that so much. I like to go to the movies or to the bar. The alcohol will at least keep you warm,” Missy said, grinning.
    “I guess you’re right about that. I’m used to outdoor activities that require a swimsuit, not a snowsuit. It’s going to take some adjusting to get used to things here.” Lexi already enjoyed the difference in the temperature, which was less intense than Florida’s summertime stifling heat.
    The