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Snorting at the lives of the rich, I found the staircase that I had come up the night before and headed down it. The smell of eggs and bacon filled my nose before I reached the bottom, and I found a plump older woman working at the stove.
Thank God, another woman. I thought I was going to drown in all the testosterone around here.
“Hello,” I greeted the woman, already feeling hopeful for the day. “You must be Miss Gretchen. I’m Piper.”
Gretchen turned from the stove with a bright smile. “You got that right.” She pointed the spatula in her hand at the bar. “Have a seat, I’ll have breakfast ready in a moment.”
Taking a seat, I grabbed the pot of coffee off the counter and poured some into the cup in front of me. Searching around for creamer, I moved over to the fridge.
“Creamer is in the door, bottom shelf,” Miss Gretchen helpfully supplied.
I found the creamer and poured a heaping amount into my cup. Sipping deeply from the cup, I sighed. Just what I needed to start the day.
“Oh, dear. If you’re already that dejected, I don’t have high hopes for you to get through the week.” Miss Gretchen tsked as she sat a plate before me. The scent of it made my stomach rumble in pleasure.
“I know,” I breathed, placing my elbow on the counter and leaning my face on my palm. “It’s just so different than what I’m used to.” As I finished my explanation, I scooped a forkful of eggs into my mouth. Suddenly, I was starving and inhaled my food like it was the last thing I’d ever eat.
“Well, I’m glad you have an appetite on you at least. These young masters barely touch anything I make.” Gretchen shook her head, one hand on her hip. “I don’t even see the reason for me being here half the time, but with you here, at least I’ll feel a bit more useful.”
“Well, my mother did always say I was a bottomless pit. She wasn’t sure where I put it all.” I patted my flat stomach and shrugged a shoulder. “Fast metabolism, I guess.” I grinned at her as I finished my plate and picked up my coffee cup. Just as I wondered how to go about asking how long Gretchen had worked there, Darren showed up in the kitchen doorway.
“Are you finished? I’m supposed to show you where the laundry room is.” He didn’t wait for me to answer but disappeared back through the doorway he had specifically told me not to go through.
Glancing at Gretchen, she nodded her head. “Go on ahead. I’ll take care of these.” She took my plate and cup and took them to the sink.
“Thank you and for the meal as well.” I wiped my mouth and quickly followed Darren. It was barely eight, and already they had me on my toes. The end of the day couldn’t come soon enough.
