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pulled it from her wrist.
    The man behind the counter moved his unlit cigarette from one corner of his mouth to the other and looked down at the pile. “Got to test it first, then I can make you an offer. Go ahead and fill out the paperwork while I’m doing that,” he added, sliding the form and a cheap ballpoint pen across the counter. “Need to see your driver’s license, too.”
    The forms were complete when he returned. Bianca noticed that he’d lit the cigarette and smoke from the burning tobacco made her cough. “Okay,” he said, pushing his shirtsleeves high on his thin arms. “I can take the earrings, the bangles, and the rings,” he said, pushing the bracelet toward her. “Not this, though.”
    â€œBut it’s a diamond bracelet.” She pushed it back toward him.
    He pushed it back. “It’s cubic zirconium. Worthless to me, and if you need money, it’s worthless to you, too.”
    â€œHe told me it was real…”
    â€œI’m sure he did, but the best I can do is give you three hundred, and that’s only because of the diamonds.”
    That’s all? Bianca brought her hands to her face and made a sound she’d never heard before, something pained and strangled, between a whimper and a scream. The broker just watched. She dropped her hands and looked at the stupid bracelet.
    Three hundred is enough cash to get through the immediate crisis, but what about next week? What about my store? Somehow, I have to find a way to hold out…
    The pawnbroker came up with a suggestion. “Have you got a car? How about the title to the car?”
    â€œNo.” She was going to need transportation and, for all she knew, KPayne might have finagled a way to take it back.
    Knowing that not even in desperation would he ever be her type, the pawnbroker pointed to her wrist and stuck to business. “How about that watch? Looks like a Rolex Lady Presidential, and if it’s real…”
    â€œIt’s real,” she snapped. “I can guarantee it.”
    â€œI’m just saying, I can give you a good deal.”
    Bianca looked down at her wrist and lightly touched the face of the watch. AJ had loved her when he’d given it to her. “No, I couldn’t. It was a gift…”
    â€œIf you really need the money, then…”
    â€œI really need the money.”
    The man shrugged and the deal was made. With tears in her eyes, Bianca reluctantly fumbled the catch on the watch and finally placed it on the counter.
    Bianca jammed the cash and the pawn ticket into her purse as she turned from the counter. Walking the length of the shop, feeling the broker’s eyes on her back, she refused to dwell on whether or not he was betting that she would come back for any of her jewelry. Standing on the sidewalk in front of the pawnshop, she spared a single look back and made a promise. Never again.

CHAPTER 3
    The annoying twittering pushed at her sleeping thoughts again, and Bianca’s fingers scrabbled against the sheet. Some part of her knew that the sound wouldn’t bring any good news. Her hand flapped again and she refused to open her eyes. Hunting for the noisy thing, her fingers caught a hard narrow edge. Grabbing it, she sat straight up in the middle of the double bed. Cellphone. The mostly blue and beige colored room was dark. Catching hold of the vibrating phone, she blinked hard and fast.
    Motel, she remembered, beginning to piece things together. A sliver of light showed at the window, just at the edges where the heavy dull blue drapes didn’t quite meet. Cheap motel. What time is it? She turned her hand, looking to her wrist for her watch and remembered: I hocked it to pay for this.
    Liking her life less and less by the minute, she let the vibrating phone die in her hand. Swinging her legs off the bed, she frowned. She had slept in her clothes, tennis shoes included. Her unwashed body and wrinkled