Page 30 of Chase Our Forever

Liv sits quietly in the passenger seat. She leans against the window, her eyelids a little heavy as she gazes outside.

“So did my family scare you away from the job, or are you ready for tomorrow?”

Her laugh is quiet, just a small little breath of air, but for some reason, it calms my nerves. My family can be a lot. Especially since she hasn’t even officially started her first day, I was nervous to take her to meet all of them.

But she seemed to have handled it perfectly, something that makes me happier than it should. Not just for my family’s sake, or even Clara’s sake, but for mine, too. I try not to think too deeply about what that means.

If I don’t analyze it, I can tell myself it’s for professional reasons only.

The smile on her face as she thinks over an answer to my question tells me what I need to know. “I don’t scare easily. I loved your family. They were…”

“A lot?” I finish for her, trying to keep my voice quiet so as not to wake Clara.

She nods as she unbuckles her seat belt and pulls her knees to her chest. Her eyes focus on me as she opens her mouth to answer. “They’re a lot, but in a good way. You can feel the love in the room, even when people are bickering or teasing each other.”

“They drive me crazy. Absolutely up the wall more often than not—especially Reed—but they’re the best. They’ve been there for me, even when I was at such a low place I kept trying to push them away. They’re everything to me. I’m glad you enjoyed them. When you snuck away with Ashton and Hattie, I got a little nervous that you’d spend five minutes with them and decide you weren’t interested in the job anymore.” It might be the most I’ve admitted to Liv. I should feel uneasy about being so free with my words to her, but I’m not. If anything, it feels good to recognize how much my family have been there for me and how much I appreciate them for it.

A little snore comes from Clara in the back seat. We both turn to look at her. Her head is tilted all the way back in what can’t be a comfortable position. She’s got her hands folded adorably in her lap as her eyelids flutter with whatever she’s dreaming about.

When I look back at Liv, I find her eyes already back on me. “I’m still very much interested in the job. I haven’t even been in Sutten for a week, and I can’t imagine leaving yet. You’re kind of stuck with me for a bit.”

I smirk at her words, fighting the urge to tell her it doesn’t sound so bad to be stuck with her. Not when she’s not only great with Clara but with my crazy family as well. I love the thought of having some consistency in our life. And there’s something about Liv that makes me feel like—and maybe even hope—she’ll be in our lives for a little while.

“Clara’s lucky to be stuck with you,” I finally get out, taking a deep breath. “We both are,” I admit under my breath. My heartslams against my chest at being so open with her. Even with the rush of adrenaline, I don’t regret it.

She makes me want to be a little more open.

I let my words hang between us. In the past, I’d dreaded going to work in the days after I’d hired a new nanny. There was always something in the back of my head telling me why I didn’t think they’d be a good fit. With Liv, I don’t feel that pit in my stomach about work tomorrow. If anything, I’m excited for Clara to have the day with Liv. I know she’ll have the best day ever, and I’m going to love getting home at the end of the day and hearing about every second of it.

“I feel lucky, too,” Liv admits. “I know you took a huge chance on me since I don’t have any experience. I’m ready to show you that you didn’t make a mistake.”

I nod as I fight the urge to tell her I already have the feeling I didn’t make a mistake. Although I’m sure she’d be relieved to hear me say it aloud, I keep it to myself. No matter how good I feel about her—which I do—I know there’s still a chance this could not work out. I want to make sure I don’t get too hopeful in case that were to happen. I’ve already been more open with her than I should; the least I can do is keep my hopefulness at a minimum.

“We should probably get inside,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. All I want to do is take a nice, hot shower and get into bed. I’d been afraid of falling asleep last night, worried Liv might hear my nightmares even from a different floor of the house. Hopefully tonight, I’ll be too exhausted for the nightmares to even reach me.

“Do you need any help getting Clara inside?” Liv asks, her voice soft. She looks back at Clara with an adoring look in her eyes.

It does something to me, seeing her look at my sleeping daughter with so much affection. It’s bittersweet. I love thatsomeone new in Clara’s life looks at her like that, but it also hurts knowing Selena never got to see her toddler doze off in the back seat after a long day of playing.

I shake my head, trying to clear my mind. “I’ve got it. I’m used to having to carry her to her bed. Thank you for offering, though.”

Liv gives me a smile before slowly turning to open her door. Even though I told her I could manage, she helps by opening all the doors for me as I carry Clara to her room.

I’m busy helping a sleepy Clara into her pajamas when I turn to find Liv waiting in the doorway. She leans against the doorframe, the softest of smiles on her lips.

‘“Good night,” she whispers, keeping her voice nice and low so as not to disturb Clara.

I give her one curt nod of my head before mouthing, “Night.”

She leaves and softly closes the door behind her, leaving me and Clara alone.

I thought my daughter was pretty much asleep, but when I turn to her, I find her eyes open and watching me. She burrows into the blankets on her bed, pulling her favorite stuffed animal close to her cheek.

“Livvy be here in the morning?” she asks, her voice incredibly groggy and adorable.

I nod. “Yes, honey, she’ll be here in the morning.”

Clara’s face breaks out into the cutest smile. “That makes me happy, Daddy.”

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