Page 30 of Mountain Boss

There’s no one with her.

She’s all alone.

So when the toilet water splashes up, it onlyhits her.

Courtney looks down at her shirt, but I think the expression of horror on her face is for the toilet water dripping off her cheek.

Her gaze slowly lifts to meet mine, her hands held out to the side.

I clear my throat. “I, um.” I clear my throat again, torn between wanting to help and wanting to laugh. “I wanted to let you know that Cook serves lunch for the employees from noon to one in the Food Hall.”

She brings her forearm to her face, using her long sleeve to soak up the droplets. “Is it included in the room and board, or is it extra?”

An uncomfortable emotion slithers across my sternum.

Most of the guys who work for me don’t have much. Some have houses elsewhere that they rent out, but most of them don’t. Either way, they’re all happy to take a free lunch.

So why does it feel different when Courtney asks me if it’s included or extra?

My hand rubs the flannel over my chest before I realize what I’m doing and drop it. “It’s included.”

She uses her other sleeve to wipe her cheek again. “Okay. Thank you for telling me.”

I nod.

I don’t have anything more to tell her, but I’m reluctant to leave.

“Was there something else?” Her voice doesn’t have a bite exactly, but it’s clear she doesn’t want me here.

I start to shake my head, then remember why I barged in here the way I did. “Were you talking to the toilet?”

Courtney eyes me for a moment before she lifts a shoulder.

When I continue to hold her gaze, she answers. “I’m used to being—working alone. It passes the time.”

I make a humming sound, not sure how to take what she just said.

I step back out of the small bathroom.

“Don’t forget about lunch,” I remind her.

Then I leave.

Chapter 25

Courtney

I stand still,not shifting my feet until I hear the front door shut.

Then I let out the high-pitched whine that’s been caught in my chest since I got splashed in the face withtoilet water.

“What the fuck, World?” I snap at the room.

I tug at my shirt, pulling the wet fabric out and away from my face as I drag it over my head.

Not that it matters, because I already gottoilet wateron myfucking face.

I grit my teeth and let out another sound of frustration.

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