Page 12 of Chase Our Forever

Maybe, even if it’s just for a short amount of time, it’ll feel like home.

7

LIV

I havenothing to wear for this job interview. If you can even call my meeting with Dean a job interview.

I’m still undecided if I actually want to be a nanny or not. Clara was great in the little amount of time I spent with her, but kids have never been my thing. But as I lay awake last night at the cute little inn Pippa recommended, I thought about how it wasn’t that I didn’t like kids. I just never had the chance to spend time with them.

After yesterday, I actually do think I’d enjoy children and spending my days with a child. There was something about Clara that spoke to me. She was so excited about everything. The color of the pink crayon, the way the icing was spread on top of the cupcakes. She was just so happy, and I could use more happiness in my life.

Despite all that, I do have questions on why Dean needs a nanny in the first place and why he hasn’t been able to keep one. Is it just him and Clara? Is there something I need to know about him that explains why no nanny has wanted to stay?

Even if I want the job—which I might, depending on how this meeting with Dean goes—I’m not sure I’ll get it based on the clothes I have packed. My wardrobe in Florida consisted of jeanshorts and T-shirts. Never did I think I’d choose somewhere cold to possibly settle down in, and now, as I try on my final outfit choice, I realize I’m going to look entirely unprofessional.

“Ugh.” I fall face-first into the mattress, letting out a small yell of frustration.

“Everything okay in there, dear?” a voice calls from the other side of the door.

I fly off the mattress, embarrassed someone heard me. “Totally fine!” I call back, my cheeks heating as I nervously walk toward the sound of the voice.

“I’m here to drop off your breakfast,” the voice on the other side of the door explains. It sounds like the same woman from the front desk last night—Carmen. She was an older woman with gray hair and a pair of glasses who was sweet as can be as I explained how I needed a place to stay for the night.

I pull the door open, giving her a warm smile. “I didn’t know the stay came with free breakfast.”

Carmen smiles, holding out a plate with a silver dish over the top of it. “It typically doesn’t, but I felt like cooking for company. Although I’m afraid I forgot to ask you last night if you had any allergies.”

I shake my head. “No allergies. But you didn’t have to make food just for me.”

Carmen’s smile doesn’t falter. She has the best energy. I don’t have to know her well to know she’s kind. But then again, it seems like everyone in this town is kind and welcoming. “I wanted to. The quiet season is always kind of hard for me, so I like things being busy. It was exciting to wake up and fix you some breakfast.”

I take the plate of food from her and give her a shy smile. Her generous offer means more to me than I can even find words for.

Before I can thank her, Carmen looks over my shoulder at the absolute mess of the room and raises an eyebrow. “Quite the mess for one night.”

A nervous laugh escapes me. “I have a job interview this morning, and it turns out I have nothing to wear.”

This makes Carmen laugh. “What’s the job?” Her eyes travel over my outfit—or, really, myfifthoutfit, considering the amount I’ve tried on.

“A nanny,” I answer, looking at the length of my denim shorts. I can’t show up to an interview wearing a pair of cutoffs. Dean was practically in a suit yesterday.

Maybe I just shouldn’t go to the interview at all.

Carmen chews on her lip for a moment. “We have a gift shop. There’s got to be something in there better than this.”

“Really?”

She nods. “Eat your breakfast, then meet me in there. It’s right by the front desk. We’ll find something that’ll work for your interview, dear.”

“Okay,” I say, nodding my head in understanding.

She walks out the door and shuts it behind her, leaving me alone with the smell of bacon wafting throughout the room.

I can’t get the food into my mouth fast enough. I’m happy there’s no one to witness the way I shove the piece of bacon into it. It’s delicious. It has the perfect crunch, and I revel in having a home-cooked breakfast made for me for the first time in forever.

The omelet might be even better than Pippa’s pumpkin cinnamon roll—although I’d never tell her that. It’s close between the two, that’s for sure.

I pretty much inhale the food. Carmen cooked up an omelet loaded with veggies, the perfect bacon, and even included some breakfast potatoes that are to die for. I eat every last bite, pretty much clearing the entire plate.

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