Page 33 of Chase Our Forever

The car parked perfectly back in its place in the garage tells me they’re home. Liv just maybe hasn’t checked her phone in a while. I allow myself to let out the smallest sigh of relief. They’re safe inside.

I pull my truck into the garage next to the SUV and don’t even bother to gather my old coffee or bring in my briefcase. I’m out of the driver’s seat as quickly as possible and practically running to get inside and see my daughter.

The moment I open the door, I’m hit with the aroma of basil and garlic. It smells incredible, and I’ve barely stepped foot inside.

The sound of Clara giggling in the kitchen makes my chest feel a little less tight. She’s here, and she’s fine—the infectious laugh of hers showing she’smorethan fine.

I step into the kitchen to find the most adorable scene ever. Clara sits on the counter, flour all over her hands and face, as she looks at Liv with the widest smile. Liv stands next to her, busy kneading dough and making funny faces at Clara every time she flips it over.

Two pizzas sit on top of the oven, presumably cooling. There’s a large salad bowl already on the table, as well as what looks to be a spread of fruit and vegetables to snack on.

“Okay, last one. Are you ready?” Liv asks Clara, handing her the ball of dough.

Clara excitedly nods her head as she takes the dough. She holds it to her chest for a moment with a mischievous grin on her face.

Liv nods. “One last time. Do it.”

They both smile so wide I’m wondering what the backstory is of whatever they’re doing. I don’t have to wonder for long. Clara chucks the ball of dough onto the counter and lets out the loudest scream of delight.

“Perfect!” Liv tells her, sprinkling some flour in front of her. She spreads the ball of dough Clara just threw onto the counter, while Clara laughs with excitement over getting to toss the dough around like that.

I clear my throat, letting them know I’m home. Liv looks up, her smile faltering slightly when her eyes meet mine.

Before we can exchange any words, Clara’s excitedly yelling my name. “Daddy! We throwing pizza.”

“Well, just the dough,” Liv corrects, letting out a nervous laugh. Her hands continue to spread the dough into a circle.

“You want to throw one, Daddy?” Clara asks, excitedly putting her flour-covered hands on her cheeks.

I shake my head, loving the bright smile on my daughter’s face. I don’t even have to ask her. She had a good day with Liv, and it’s so refreshing to know that. “I’m okay. You have fun today?”

The little giggle from Clara melts my heart. “We had best day without you, Daddy.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Oh, did you?”

Liv shakes her head as she begins to spoon what looks like homemade pizza sauce onto the pizza dough. “We had a good day, but she did ask about you a lot.”

Clara’s face pinches together in confusion. “No, I didn’t.”

Liv gives me an apologetic look, but the apology isn’t needed. My feelings aren’t hurt in the slightest. In fact, it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders to know Clara enjoyed herself so much.

“So, what did you do today?” I ask, taking a seat on one of the barstools at the counter.

The smell of the finished pizzas sitting on top of the oven makes my mouth water. I must admit, although I don’t mind cooking, often Clara and I will eat carryout, or I’ll throw together the simplest of meals. It isn’t often we eat home-cooked meals in this kitchen—unless my mom’s dropped them off for us.

Clara throws her hands in the air dramatically as she shakes her head. “I can’t tell you everything…we dida lot.”

I smile at the way she emphasizes a lot. Or maybe I smile because of the way Liv stares right at me with a light in her eyes so bright that it makes it hard to fight a smile when sunshine bottled up into a person is beaming at you.

“What if I want to know everything?” I counter, my ears burning with having Liv’s eyes still trained on me.

Clara lets out an exasperated sigh. She rolls her brown eyes at me. “We saw Pippa and Lexi.” She looks over at Liv with a mischievous grin before looking back at me and covering her mouth with her hand like she’s telling a secret. “And Pippa let me try one of her new cake pops.”

“Oh, yummy,” I respond. “Do you need help?” I ask Liv as she picks up a bowl of freshly grated cheese.

She shakes her head as she begins to sprinkle it on the top. “Nope. I told you I’d make dinner. Just sit and take a breath for a moment.”

Clara reaches into the bowl and helps her sprinkle cheese over the top. “We called Mimi to find out your favorite pizza. Sausage and pepperoni, right, Daddy?”

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