Page 33 of Mountain Boss

I bite down on my lip.

I hated asking if the lunch was included, but I needed to know.

If, at the end of the week, my paycheck was going to be less, I’d need to know by how much before I agreed.

I could live off what I have in my cupboard for a while.

But not today.

The idea of eating with all my coworkers—whom I haven’t met—does stress me out. But I’ll stay focused on the fact that I’m about to have some free food.

And free food is always delicious.

Voices filterout through the propped-open front door of the Food Hall.

I’m a little later than I meant to be. But when I got back to the Laundry Cabin, I still felt the toilet water on me, so I stripped everything off and threw it—and the hand towel I used—into one of the washers. Testing out my cabin’s namesake for the first time.

Then I used a washcloth to scrub my face and body.

Then I put on different clothes.

But since the day is half over, I put on my outfit from yesterday—since no one but Mr. Black saw me in it anyway.

So by the time I did all that and re-braided my hair, it was quarter after noon.

And now here I am.

Late.

I force myself to keep walking to the open door.

“Suck it up, Buttercup,” I whisper to myself.

Were you talking to the toilet?

The question would’ve been funny if my answer wasn’t so depressing.

I thought I caught myself well though.

And it wasn’t a lie. I have worked alone for a long time.

But I’ve also been alone for a long time. Thankfully I didn’t finish that sentence.

A loud laugh makes me jolt.

I’m not working alone anymore.

Hoping for the best, bracing for the worst, I step into the Food Hall.

Chapter 28

Sterling

I seeher before anyone else does. Because I’m watching.

Waiting.

Three of my guys are sitting at a table. Cook is behind the counter. And another is filling his plate.

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