Page 235 of Mountain Boss

It’s the last day of the month.

And that means I’ll get my first paycheck from Black Mountain Lodge.

I blink at the ceiling.

Sterling’s bedroom ceiling.

This is the payday I’ve been counting on since before I even started.

Since the day I was told I got the job.

At the time, I’d been in… such a bad place.

Financially.

Mentally.

I neededthis so badly.

And when I got here… it took a few days, but I got settled.

I got a cabin to call my own.

I got a homemade lunch every day.

I got coworkers who became my friends.

And I got Sterling.

I got stability.

And I kept my position by being good at my job.

A job I’ve come to enjoy.

I take a deep breath.

The relationship I’m building with Sterling has nothing to do with my paycheck.

I won’t make it weird.

Chapter 181

Sterling

The momentI open the door, I smell them. The mini apple pies Courtney told me she was making.

I’ve been gone on another outing, and the nights away were just as frustrating as I knew they’d be.

But I still took the time to detour on the way home.

Courtney has bought a few things for herself since getting paid last week, but she hasn’t splurged on snow boots or a proper winter jacket.

So I did.

And I just know the faux fur-lined hood is going to be adorable as fuck on her.

I grin as I head up the stairs, toward the sound of the shower.

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