Page 18 of Chase Our Forever

I shake my head, hating the formality. “Call me Dean. And you don’t know that. Maybe you’ll find something you don’t agree with.”

She slowly nods her head as she mulls my words over. “I’ve got a pretty good idea everything will be perfect. Lookingforward to Saturday,Dean.” She emphasizes my name, and I don’t know why the sound of my name coming from her mouth does something to me. It’s like hearing my name woke up something inside me that’s been dormant for years.

I clear my throat, trying to shake the weird feeling. “Perfect.” I let go of her hand and let it fall to her side.

Without even saying goodbye, I rush out of Wake and Bake and hustle to my truck.

The moment I slam the door of my truck shut, I let out a long breath.

What the hell is wrong with me?I was just a total dick to, hopefully, my new nanny without any explanation—or good reason.

I let out a low whistle as I start the truck. Pippa will be very disappointed in me.

11

LIV

My heart feelslike it might beat right out of my chest as I slow down before turning into the long, narrow driveway that leads to my new home. I don’t know if I would’ve ever found the driveway if it weren’t for the freshly painted black mailbox sitting in the clearing with “Livingston” painted neatly on the side.

When Dean mentioned his house was tucked into the mountains when we talked after agreeing to the terms of employment, I didn’t realize he meant it was literally on the side of the mountain with nothing around.

I guide the car down the driveway, shocked by how nicely paved it is. It’s a lot smoother of a ride than the road it took to get out here. I thought the drive into Sutten Mountain was one of the most scenic views I’ve ever seen, but the view panning out in front of me is breathtaking. I press on the brake for a minute, sitting in the middle of the driveway as I take in the scene before me.

The trees have gone from dense and close together, the brilliant hues of oranges and reds painting the most beautiful painting, to further apart the closer the tree line gets to the house.

“Oh my god,” I mutter under my breath, wondering for a moment if I’m in the right place. I know I’m where I’m supposed to be. His last name on the side of the mailbox gave it away. I just didn’t realize the house he built with his late wife would look likethis.

I don’t think I can even call it a house—it’s a mansion on the side of a mountain.

Dean’srichrich. I should’ve known when I saw what my salary was.

It’s the prettiest place I’ve ever seen. It looks like it’s been picked right out of a home magazine and placed here.

And then the view around it is even more breathtaking. It’s tucked into a valley of the mountain, giving way to the most stunning rolling hills all around it. I know I should press the gas and close the distance to the house, but I can’t. I’m too stunned. I’d seen episodes ofYellowstoneover my dad’s shoulder occasionally, and the house in front of me looks almost exactly like the one from the show.

It’s rustic but classy. There’s a classic look to it with the light color of the wood. A porch wraps around the front, and might even wrap around the back, too. At least, it looks like it does from here.

“What is even happening right now?” I whisper, lightly tapping the gas to continue down the driveway. I must be dreaming. There’s no way I stumbled upon a live-in nanny position and this is where I’ll be spending my days.

It seems too good to be true—and nothing good ever happens to me.

The driveway gets wider, opening up to a space to the side of the house for what I assume is parking. I park my car there, my gaze traveling over the house up close.

I don’t know what to say as I step out of my car and look up at the beautiful house in front of me. My old car looks so out ofplace sitting in front of it, nowhere near new enough to sit by something this pretty.

Before I can gather my thoughts, the front door of the house opens, and a flash of dark hair comes racing toward me.

“Livvy!” Clara shouts, a giggle erupting from her small body as she launches herself right at me. I drop my duffle bag and wrap my arms around her, pulling her body to mine.

“Hi, Clara.” I squeeze her tight, a sense of joy taking over me at seeing her again. Her smile and happiness are infectious. I think being around her every day is really going to be great for me.

“You coming to stay with me?” Clara asks, pulling away to look me in the eyes. Now that I’ve sat across from Dean and got a better look at him, I realize how much she looks like her father, and I can’t help but think about what her mother looked like and what features she has from her.

I nod. “If that’s okay with you?”

Her smile gets even wider. “Yes. You can sleep in my bed if you want.”

I laugh as I notice Dean approaching us. I hadn’t even seen him come through the front door. I’d been so focused on greeting Clara that I hadn’t really been paying any attention.

---