Page 14 of Chase Our Forever

But should I still be considering the job, knowing I probably won’t be here for more than a few months? I guess it’s something I’ll have to discuss with Dean today.

“Thank you again for your help this morning, Carmen,” I say, tucking my hair behind my ear and changing the subject. “It means a lot to me. I’m not used to strangers being so kind to me,” I admit with a nervous smile.

Carmen reaches out and places her hand on top of mine. Her smile is so warm and comforting, putting my nerves at ease. “We don’t believe in strangers here in Sutten.”

Her answer makes me smile. Her words feel like a sign that being in this small little town tucked into the middle of the mountains is exactly where I’m supposed to be.

8

DEAN

My fingers tapagainst the table as my eyes scan the coffee shop for what feels like the millionth time. Technically, there are still ten minutes until our scheduled meeting, so it’s not like Liv’s late. But still, I’m anxiously waiting to see if she’ll show up or not.

If I’m being honest, I don’t have high hopes. Many people have stood me up before as I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect nanny. Why would she be any different?

Although, she did send over her resume and two different references, so I might just be overthinking it for no reason.

Except I do have a reason—my daughter. Clara hasn’t stopped talking about Liv since the moment we left Wake and Bake yesterday. She even told her whole dance class that she was going to have cute hair for every class now because she has a new nanny.

I take a deep breath, hoping this thing with Liv works out. Clara’s obsessed with her, and because I’ve never seen my daughter this excited about someone, I have to do everything I can to get Liv on board. Even if I don’t know or trust her yet.

Two more minutes tick by before the door opens, and Liv comes breezing in, the mountain wind blowing her hair aroundas she steps inside. She’s not wearing a hat today, giving me a view of her entire face. Even from a distance, I can tell her cheeks are pink from the cold. At least today, she’s dressed for the weather. I couldn’t help thinking yesterday how cold she must have been.

It was a weird feeling for me to think that about her. To worry. I don’t typically do that about anyone outside of my family. Even as I drove Clara home from dance and the temperature dropped drastically as it turned to night, I found myself wondering where Liv would be staying and if she had anything to keep her warm.

Standing up, I smooth out my suit jacket and step around the table to pull out her chair. “Morning,” I greet her, watching her close the distance to the table.

“Morning,” she responds, her voice a little breathless. Her hair sticks to the lip gloss coating her lips. She tries to fix it, but then the sticky hair sticks to her cheek instead. “I’m not late, am I?” she asks, her eyes moving to the chair I’ve pulled out for her.

I don’t have to look at my watch to know she isn’t late. “No, you aren’t. Here, take a seat.”

Liv nods, setting her large brown bag on the floor next to us and sitting down. “It’s been quite the morning,” she mutters under her breath. I don’t know if I’m supposed to respond to her remark or not, but luckily, she decides for me by continuing on. “First, I realized I didn’t pack any clothes for an interview. I had to go shopping at the inn, so don’t mind me sporting the Sutten merch.” She giggles uncomfortably as I take the seat across from her.

I look over her outfit, noticing the pocket of her shirt with “Sutten Mountain” stitched across it. Before I can tell her that I never would’ve noticed unless she told me about it, she continues to tell me about her morning. “And then I went to mycar, and it wouldn’t start. I kept trying and trying until, finally, I got it to turn on. Maybe it doesn’t like the cold.”

I make a mental note to check out the car if she does become Clara’s nanny. “Thatisquite the morning.”

Liv nods, taking a deep breath as she adjusts in her chair. “Yes. And the clock on my dash doesn’t work, so then I panicked that I was somehow late and you’d be gone and my hope for a job here would be lost.”

I don’t answer her, instead just watching her carefully as I take her in. She seemed a lot quieter yesterday than today. Maybe it’s just that Pippa and Lexi were doing most of the talking, but now, her personality is shining through a little more.

As if she can read my mind, she winces a little as a smile spreads over her face. “Am I already talking too much? Sometimes I ramble and?—”

I lift my hand to stop her from continuing. “It’s fine.” I leave out the part where I tell her I’d much rather listen to someone rambling than be left alone with my own thoughts.

Liv nods, but the smile doesn’t leave her face. Is she always this smiley? Her personality is almost as bright as the sunshine color of her hair. “Okay,” she finally gets out, her voice a little shaky with nerves.

It’s quiet for a moment as we both stare at one another. But it’s not an uncomfortable silence, even though it easily could be.

“Would you like a coffee?” I finally get out, trying to be polite.

She nods, still wearing a smile that softens something inside me. “I’d actually love one.”

As if she can hear our conversation, Pippa walks up to the table with a relieved look on her face as she looks at Liv. “You’re here.”

Liv aims her smile in Pippa’s direction. “I’m here. Anddesperatelyneed caffeine.”

“You’ve come to the right place. What would you like today?”

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