Page 247 of Mountain Boss

“I didn’t know he was coming.” I’m breathing heavily, and I know it’s from panic more than from running. “I forgot Marty emailed me. It was before?—”

The call fucking drops.

“Fuck,” I shout as I reach my driver’s door.

I have a four-hour drive home through mountain passes with little to no service.

And no time to spare.

Chapter 190

Courtney

“I know,”I tell Ben.

He gives me the side-eye.

“I know.” I say it more forcefully this time. “I’m aware I’m being petty. But it’s all I have right now.”

My perfect dog huffs, then lowers himself to lie on the women’s room floor.

I have absolutely no reason to come shower out here, other than pettiness. And the fact that I don’t want to be naked in Sterling’s house.

He sent a text saying that he was coming home and not to leave.

That was it.

I’m coming home. Don’t leave.

But it was enough to have me crying on the floor with Ben curled in my lap, bony butt hanging off my knees because he’s too big to fit.

I wasn’t going to just leave.

True, I’d already grabbed an armful of my clothes out of his closet and carried them over to the Laundry Cabin. But it was just some of my belongings. And Ben’s dishes.

Because if tonight ends in a fight—or a breakup—I needed to have enough of my belongings in my old cabin to get me through a few days.

My reflection blurs as I drag my brush through my wet hair.

I blink the stubborn tears away.

It didn’t sound good, Sterling admitting he forgot about my replacement. But I’ve had hours to dwell on it, and I know I need to hear him out.

Because I know Sterling.

I know him better than I think most anyone does.

And if he wanted to break up with me…

I purse my lips and blow out a breath.

I’m trying so hard to be mature about this, but even thinking the termbreak upsends my pulse into a tailspin.

If Sterling was planning on ending it, he wouldn’t have gotten me a dog.

I look over at Ben, who is watching me from the floor.

Then again, Sterling could maybe see giving me a companion before kicking me out into the cold as a decent thing.

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