Page 35 of Master's Rise
She nods. “Let’s get you fed or Seren will have my ass. You can tell me about the order when you’re done.”
“I like the plan. Steak and cheese, mushroom, onion, extra cheese.” I’m reading the menu while she pokes her register.
“Beer?” she asks.
“No, I’m not wasting it. I’ll need it later. Water and plain chips.”
She gives me a funny look then pokes her register some more. “It will be out soon. You want your chips and water while you wait or all together?”
“I’ll take the water and add one to come out with my sandwich.” I pull my wallet and she hisses.
“Are you trying to get me fired? Put that away!” Women are talented, she’s yelling at me in a whisper.
“Seren is paying people to cook, serve and clean, she paid for food. Every Brother will gladly pay so we don’t have to shop, cook and clean. You’ll take my money like any other customer, so Seren can afford for you to keep your job.”
“Twelve twenty-five and thanks.” She smiles making me smile.
I sit thinking about the women. One group of assholes have a whole town of women held hostage as if they hit a time machine. Fucking crazy. I run through my email. Major wants the uniforms for his Enforcers but not Security. We do the same and I tell him that. Security wear vests. The architect answers my questions about the draft plans for the hospital. I shoot it to the Officers since I’m not there.
Seren is close, I look up and smile. She has a tray with food for both of us. “Break time.”
“Yeah. You looked happy making pizza. I’m glad this does it for you.”
She laughs putting a basket with my sandwich and chips down. This thing is huge. Her basket has a half sandwich and chips. “It does as far as work goes. I was happy with the hardware store, but this makes me happier.”
When she sits, I ask, “As far as work goes?”
“Don’t beg for adoration. It’s beneath you, Cort Masters. I told you this morning how I felt. The way I see it, you’re up.” She picks up her sandwich and bites into it. I love the confidence.
“I said I may keep you. I should have said I’m keeping you. That is, if you want to stay at my house.”
She nods. “Works for me. There’s not a bed in my house that’s big enough for you. It’s also my dad’s house. I never changed anything after he died.”
She hasn’t asked me how I feel about her, what the future will be like or any fucking thing women want to know. She questions everything else but never us. I don’t get women.
“That’s it, justworks for me?”
Wrinkles on her forehead push her brows down in the center. It’s cute. “You got a crystal ball to tell youwhat happens next?”
I smile shaking my head no with a mouth full. This is a good fucking sandwich. The Brothers are going to love the over-stuffed subs here.
She puts her sandwich down and takes a drink. I’m always waiting on her. “I don’t know what’s next either. I’ve never felt this way and can’t say I don’t like it. I love it. Nothing is promised but I feel we have a weird connection. Since it’s new and you’re easy, I don’t mind riding it out to see where we land.” She picks her sandwich up again and I wish I got that one. It looks good stuffed with meat and not too much salad on top.
I nod thinking she’s about as perfect as I can get. “Good. I think and feel the same. Something about you pulls me in too. I’m not sure it’s just your brain. I like no pressure while we figure this out.”
She puts her sandwich down with disgust on her face. “I should have gotten the kid’s. Your Prospect did good. He made our order. I have enough pressure from the townspeople. I like no pressure at home.”
I have my mouth full again, so I nod. She’s smiling. “You like the steak and cheese.” She’s not getting anything but nods from me. This is too good to throw away. “Good. It’s too much for me. I can do the kid’s portioned meat on regular-sized bread, otherwise, I feel like I’m eating the whole cow. I didn’t want to throw the Prospect with my weird-ass order.”
I laugh having finished one half of the sandwich. Raid comes in and I nod at him to sit then push the other half to him. “Thanks. Glad it’s calm in here, Seren. The Prospect delivering said it’s been steady.”
My girl is proud. “It started off slow, but we’ve gotten steady orders since noon.”
“Oh, my fucking God. This is good.”
I hit him with my shoulder. “Close your mouth, Brother.” Shaking my head, I look at my girl. “I have an order to place for tonight. It’s one I need continually and you can decide toppings.”
She stands up. “Let me get an order pad before you explain.” Since she walks away, I don’t answer.
