Page 77 of House of Payne

My dad and Noah will move on when this is over, blissfully unaware of what it cost to get there. I, on the other hand, said goodbye to my old life the minute I signed the contract, and I know it.

Letting go of what I thought my year was going to be is hard, but it isn’t as difficult as knowing that it needed to be done.

I picture my father’s face as they take the restaurant away. I tell myself he’d survive if he knew the truth, but no matter how hard I try to convince myself, I can’t make it real.

Who am I kidding?

When my mom walked away years ago, the diner became my father’s life. I know he loves me, but not having the diner in his life would chip away at him.

Mason made it seem like I only had two options, but that’s becausethey both benefit him. In my haste to find a way out, I hadn’t considered what everything meant.

What if I find another way to work off the debt?

Maybe you should consider what Miss Deveroux said. It’s the quickest way to reduce your time, and you know you’re curious.

Noah has messaged me several times a day, and he’s proving that he’s still committed to me.

It makes me feel worse because I know he deserves better. That he should get on with his life.

A twisted part of me wants him to.

I want Noah to admit that it’s been hard, and that he’s been fighting the urge to find comfort in someone else’s arms.

At least then, I’d know he wasn’t sitting around waiting for me.

Nothing makes sense anymore. This is why I need to find a way out of my contract, and fast. The longer I stay, the worse this will get.

I briefly consider turning to my mom for help, knowing she won’t turn me away if I tell her how much trouble Dad is in, but she’s also worked hard.

I love her too much to drag her back into the mess with the diner. She already walked away from it once to save herself.

I won’t be the one to force her back, not even for my future or my sanity.

With a frown, I force myself out of the room and into the hallway. I run into a few employees, all dressed differently, but no one looks me in the eye.

I don’t blame them.

I don’t even want to look in the mirror.

I walk to the main lobby and pile into the elevator with a few other employees with similar ID cards. One of them glances at the bracelet on my wrist, inches away, and pretends to scan the bright numbers on the panel. When the doors open, they all pile out, and I linger, not ready formy day to start.

Miss Deveroux is waiting for me in her usual spot next to the lockers.

I try not to look around when I enter. “Quiet day today?”

Miss Deveroux motions to me, and I follow her. “It’s never quiet around here. Just give it some time, and it’ll pick up. He’s not here today, you know.”

I snap my gaze to hers and raise an eyebrow. “Who’s not here?”

“Mr. Payne.” Miss Deveroux’s voice is knowing. “I don’t think he’ll be in for a few days. He’s got some business to take care of.”

“Oh.” I ignore the twinge of disappointment in my chest. “I wasn’t wondering where he was.”

Miss Deveroux leads me to her office in the back. “Honey, we both know that isn’t true, but I also know better than to push you. You’ll go to him when you’re ready.”

I fold my arms over my chest and lean against the wall. “What makes you so sure I will?”

Miss Deveroux levels me with a gaze. “Because I’ve seen the way he looks at you, but I’ve also seen the way you look at him.”