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his lips twitched. “And despite the frustration my flakiness seems to cause you, you’re curious about me and struggling with how to feed that curiosity.” The minute he ran the tip of his tongue over his rounded bottom lip, she wished she’d picked less suggestive words.
    He raised a thick brow and licked again. “Are you getting all of this from a crystal ball?”
    â€œHardly that fantastical. It’s non-verbal communication, and you’re mirroring me.”
    â€œWhat?” He slammed his brows together as soon as he noticed their similar postures.
    Squeezing his arms across his chest, Jordon kicked his feet onto the table. “That’s dime store psychology, and I’m paying for more than that, Dr. Collins.” He bit into the title and glowered at the falling darkness behind her.
    Maggie’s stomach churned, and she knew it wasn’t because of hunger. Stirring his anger accomplished a not-so-subtle reminder that intellectual flirting came with a hefty price tag, and she couldn’t spend an ounce of the money she hoped to earn. An independent future hinged on Carlos’s recovery.
    â€œI don’t think Carlos wants to die. I think it was an experiment of sorts with a little attention-seeking mixed in. Maybe he was testing me.”
    Jordon looked at her again and the wrinkles around his mouth and eyes disappeared.
    â€œI mean obviously if I thought he was at risk, I would’ve called 911.” She lifted her eyes to the sky and shook her head before leveling her gaze on Jordon. “But I also know that would cause a stir, and you want to keep things hushed. Bottom line is, I can stick around and give him some emergency therapy, but he needs twenty-four-hour supervision, too.”
    â€œI leave for Venezuela tomorrow.”
    She was running out of options. “Can Bernie stay with him?”
    â€œI don’t want Bernie to stay with him. I want you. I hired you.”
    â€œYou hired me for a consultation and virtual therapy, not for residential treatment in your home.”
    â€œThe two-month salary for a therapist on my payroll is thirty-two thousand dollars. Would you stay for that kind of money, Dr. Collins?”
    Maggie swallowed the urge to take the money and worry about the consequence later.
    â€œNo? Not enough,” he mused. “How about this? Carlos is eight miles per hour off on his fastball. I’ll throw in two grand for each mile per hour increase, and if you get him over the one hundred-mile-per-hour mark, I’ll pay a ten-thousand-dollar bonus.”
    He was clearly a man who knew the power of paper.
    â€œYou won’t find a more lucrative deal,” he added with a sly smile.
    â€œI have other clients, Mr. Kemmons.”
    â€œI have internet connections, Dr. Collins.”
    â€œI didn’t pack enough clothes.”
    â€œI have laundry facilities, and Lake Norman has stores. I also have a postal address, should you want items from home shipped to you.”
    â€œI’m not comfortable spending time alone with him.”
    â€œHe’s a broken kid, not a serial killer. Besides, I’ll be back as much as I can. Bernie will be nearby, should you need help. Speaking of the devil … ”
    The sliding door opened, and Bernie walked toward them with a brown bag in each hand. “Boss Man. Dr. Collins.”
    Jordon grabbed a bag from Bernie with a weak curve to his lips, like he wanted to smile but didn’t know how. He dug into the bag and pushed a tray of sushi toward her.
    â€œNo, thank you. Bernie can have mine. I’ll go see if Carlos is awake.”
    Bernie swatted a humongous hand in front of him. “My dinner’s in the car. I’m headed home … but I can poke my head in on Carlos before I go. If he’s up, I’ll let you know.” He pounded the knuckles of his fist against Jordon’s knuckles and nodded at Maggie. “You kids be good