Page 1 of Made for the Mountain Man

Chapter 1

Violet

"Um, excuse me. How much longer is this going to take?"

The guy behind the counter, whose name tag readsCarl, doesn't respond to my attempt at a firm tone. My panic rises as he fiddles with the large printer in front of him, muttering curses.

Glancing at my phone, my stomach drops when afourthtext comes through from my boss.

Caroline Branch

What the fuck is taking so long?!!

"Sorry, folks. Color ink's out. Coming in on the next truck. Probably around 5 pm." Carl slams the door to the errant printer and glares at us as everyone waiting erupts into protest. "Wehad a huge order come in that we weren't expecting. You can try the other copy place a few blocks down." Carl scowls with a flippant shrug of his red polyester-clad shoulders like it makes no difference to him whether we take our business elsewhere.

How I wish I could be more like Carl—because Caroline is going to freak out. And my anxiety makes me want to fix the problem while dreaming about climbing into a hole for the next six months to wait out the results. I shake my head, letting out a long breath to calm my racing heart before sending my boss the bad news.

Ms. Branch, the copy shop is out of ink, which I know sounds insane, but it’s true. I'll need to run down to Cary's Copies to get this done.

I sigh, closing my eyes momentarily before typing out the next message.

I won't get back uptown before the end of the meeting.

I chew my lip anxiously before racing down the street, knowing three little dots are flashing with each step I take. The ping of my phone slows me down, stopping me dead in my tracks when I read her response.

Caroline Branch

Don't worry about it, Vivian.

Violet, I correct silently for what feels like the millionth time since she started with our company three months ago. The firstweek, I spoke up each time, but she never got it right. Eventually, it was easier to pretend I didn't notice.

I stare at my phone. There is no way she’s cool with this. I watch the three dots appear and stop. Appear and stop. And then, there it is.

Caroline Branch

Go home. I don't need you anymore today.

The rough bricks scratch my bare forearm and snag the sleeve of my work shirt as I slump against the wall. But I don't care. Caroline's been looking for a reason to fire me and bring in her own people. If I ignore her request and return to the office, she’ll accuse me of insubordination. If I go home early, she’ll complain about my terrible work ethic.

Damn it, Carl!

Forty minutes later, I unlock my apartment door to the blare of the TV and the excited squeak of a chew toy.

"Bad day, Vi?" My roommate Naomi glances at me as she disentangles her long legs from a yoga pose.

Kicking off my shoes, I throw my bag on the floor and bury my face in the couch. Naomi's dog, Freddy, comes over to lick my hand.

"Yep," I mumble into the couch cushions. Dragging myself up to a sitting position, I nod. "Pretty sure I'm getting fired tomorrow."

Naomi makes a face. "Financial aspect aside, isn't that a good thing?"

I stare at her incredulously. "Right...I thought youlikedhaving me as your roommate?"

Naomi shrugs. "I can swing the rent for a few months while you look for another job, Violet. You don't need to put up with her."

I whimper, and Naomi jumps up, rushing to my side.

"Interviews are so hard for me." I sniffle. "I get anxious and talk myself out of the job whileinthe interview. And if the person interviewing me is a guy and remotely attractive, I can't speak. At all. I sit there and nod, even when it's not a yes or no question. It's like someone puts a mute button on me. So, yeah, I shouldn't have to put up with a crazy evil boss, but I'm b-b-broken." I finish my tirade with a sob.

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