153. Courtney
Chapter 153
Courtney
Walking back to my cabin, I look up the driveway at Sterling’s house.
I haven’t seen him since he left lunch, carrying the whole cake pan.
Some of the guys called after him as he did it, laughing over his apparent sweet tooth.
I buried my smile under the second piece he’d given me, sure he was hoarding it because it was his birthday cake.
I consider texting him, wanting to know if he’ll be around tonight, if he’ll come over. But that feels awkward.
I literally live in the cabin next to his. If he wants to see me, or be seen, he knows how to make that happen.
Sighing to myself, I carry on past the driveway.
The proximity makes hookups easy, but it also makes it hard to set expectations. If this was a normal situation with a guy I was… seeing , I wouldn’t expect to bump into him every thirty minutes.
I need to chill.
Of course, just as I tell myself that, as I near my cabin, I start to slow.
Then I stop.
Because attached to my cabin, lining the steps that lead up to my front door, are railings .
Hand railings that match all the other cabins.
“When did he…?”
I move toward them, hands outstretched.
My stairs aren’t wide. And the top step is hardly bigger than the other steps. But more than once, I’ve been nervous about falling off them.
And now…
I grip a railing in either hand.
I try to shake them.
They don’t move.
This man.
I turn, intending to go to Sterling’s front door to thank him in person.
But then I remember him mentioning that call.
I don’t know what time that was supposed to be or if he’d still be on it, but I don’t want to interrupt his work.
Honestly, sometimes I forget that being here is work.
But Black Mountain Lodge is Sterling’s business. His livelihood. His way of paying his employees.
I bite my lip.
I won’t knock on his door, but I will send a text. Even though the idea seemed so absurd a moment ago.
Because I can, I climb to the second step, then lean against the railing before I take my phone out of my pocket.
Me: Thank you for the railings.
Not in a hurry, I continue to lean, tipping my head back and breathing in the evening air.
My phone vibrates a minute later.
Boss: You’re welcome.
Boss: I’ll be out late tonight. Behave yourself.
I purse my lips.
I always behave myself.
And what does he mean he’ll be out late ?
It can’t be with another woman, right?
And does late mean he’ll be late climbing into my bed while I’m asleep again? Or is it late like he’ll be tired and go straight to his own bed?
I shake my head and slide my phone back in my pocket.
No need to jump to conclusions.
If I don’t see him tonight, I’ll see him tomorrow.
I don’t see him tomorrow.