Page 234 of Mountain Boss

He lowers his hand. “Does this mean she’s switched loyalties, or can we still talk shit about you in front of her?”

Sterling slowly turns his head to look down at me, brows raised.

I look at Leon. “We can still talk shit.”

He grins.

And then, one by one, everyone relaxes, their smiles growing, the chattering building.

I was so focused on how they might feel toward me that I didn’t consider anything else. Like the fact they might worry about their own workplace atmosphere.

I take a deep breath and shove away my remaining doubts.

These are good guys.

And even if I started as an outsider, they won’t turn on me now. Not when we’ve become friends.

My heart gives a little squeeze.

Because it’s true. These guys are my friends.

I have friends.

And a man.

And potentially… a future.

Chapter 179

Sterling

Courtney exclaims something from upstairs.

I can’t make out the words, but I’m guessing she found her pet cactus on the bedroom windowsill.

Or her clothes in the closet.

Or her pillow on the bed.

She’s slept here, showered here, eaten here, for three nights in a row. I’m just making it easier.

Chapter 180

Courtney

Lips press against my temple.“I gotta run into town.”

“Mmkay.” My reply is as sleepy as I feel.

“Go back to sleep. You have thirty before your alarm. I’ll see you at lunch.” He kisses me again, then stands. “Don’t make it weird.”

That has my eyes cracking open.

Don’t make it weird?

“What are you talking about?” I ask. But Sterling is already striding out of the room.

Then it dawns on me.