Page 104 of The Ruthless Note

“Miss Cooper.” A tan woman with a broad smile motions to me.

I stick a finger in my chest, stunned.

“Yes, you.” She unleashes another toothy grin. “Would you like some sushi?”

“Uh…” I shuffle my feet nervously. “I, um, no. Just a sandwich.”

She grabs my tray and slaps an expensive sushi wrap on it. It looks delicious, but my heart seizes when I think about the meal points. There’s no way I can afford this. Even if it’s the best sushi in the world, all I’ll be tasting is the price tag.

“What if she doesn’t like sushi?” Another lunch lady scolds the first.

My eyebrows jump in confusion.

“What you want,” she takes my tray and slides it in the opposite direction, “is a pizza, yes?”

I stare at the beautifully crispy crust and the cheese melting on top of thinly-sliced pepperoni. All hand-crafted. All delicious.

“Uh, no. Just… just the tuna sandwich.”

“Why can’t she have both?”

“Why can’t she have everything?”

To my surprise, the women start stacking food on my tray like this is a bank heist and they’re trying to stuff all the money in my suitcase.

I lift a hand, stammer and dart around for help.

I’m definitely holding up the line, but no one says anything.

Not even a peep of a complaint.

In fact, when I try to make eye contact, the people behind me all look down.

What is going on?

“Is this whoa…” When they shove the tray into my arms, I nearly buckle from the weight of all the food. “If this is about me playing the guitar for you, this isn’t necessary.”

“Oh no. Your guitar playing wasn’t worth all this.”

The first lunch lady smacks the second and gives her a warning look.

I chuckle. “Right. Well, the thing is, I can’t pay for this.”

“It’s been paid for.”

“By who?”

She arches a brow as if I should already know.

My heart catches on a breath. “Dutch?”

She smiles. “Enjoy your lunch, Miss Cooper. And, from now on, you can take anything you like. No need to worry.”

I turn around, utterly perplexed. Why would Dutch take care of my meals? Is this just another ploy to get into my pants? But why go this far?

I near the tree where I usually sit with Serena and find all the neighboring tables crawling with students.The sun is unbearably hot and the cafeteria, on top of being a literal five star buffet, is fully air-conditioned. Why is everyone out here?

I feel their eyes on my back and dig my fingers into the orange tray.