Page 42 of Chase Our Forever

Dean rips his gaze from mine and looks at Clara. I follow suit.

“Hear what, Clare Bear?” I ask, still feeling the aftermath of the way Dean said “ours.”

“We get to keep her.”

I crouch down to the floor and scratch the puppy’s ears. Her tongue hangs out the side of her mouth as she welcomes the attention from both Clara and me. “Welcome home, Honey.”

“This is going to be a lot of responsibility,” Dean begins, joining us on the floor. “Are you up for it, Clara?”

Clara nods her head immediately. Her face is completely serious as she looks up at her dad. “Yes, Daddy.”

Dean’s eyes find mine again. “I figured now was a better time than ever to finally give in to both of you begging for the puppy. With your help here, and you hopefully staying awhile, I think we can actually handle taking care of a puppy.”

I bite my lip in an attempt to hide my smile. It doesn’t work. Him mentioning he wants me to stay awhile sends butterflies fluttering in my stomach, even though I know he meant it for help with the dog and nothing deeper. “I don’t plan on going anywhere,” I admit, putting it out there that I can’t see myself leaving anytime soon. I’ve never been happier, the pay is great, and I grow more attached to Clara and Dean each day. I started this job thinking I’d only be here a couple of months, but now I know I want it to be longer if possible. “We’ll take perfect care of her.”

Honey climbs out of Clara’s lap and runs right for Dean. She playfully bites at the sleeve of his suit jacket. “No, no, puppy,” he scolds, gently prying his sleeve from her mouth. “Isn’t this supposed to be the chill one?”

“Her name’s Honey,” I point out, picking the dog up and cradling her against my chest. “And sheischill, but she’s still a puppy.”

The smallest hint of a laugh comes from him as he stands to his full height. “It smells delicious in here.”

I hand Honey over to Clara and stand up as well. Dean stands in front of the oven, looking closely at the lasagna sitting out.

“Does it look up to your standard?” I tease, turning the sink on and washing my hands after holding Honey.

He turns to face me, one corner of his mouth lifted. “I’ll have to taste it to find out.”

Blood rushes to my cheeks because, for some reason, the innocent words sound dirty to me. Instead of thinking about him tasting the lasagna, I think about him tastingme.

I close my eyes, trying to rid myself of the mental picture of his lips against me. This isn’t appropriate. I can’t think about my boss kissing me.

It doesn’t help that when I open my eyes, he still stares at me. It suddenly feels hot in this kitchen, and it isn’t because the ovenwas on. When his tongue peeks out to wet his lips, I stifle the smallest moan.

What is wrong with me?

“Liv?”

“Yes?” I squeak, terrified he can somehow read my mind.

He cocks his head to the side. “The water.”

I jump. “Oh.” I rush to turn the sink off. I’d been too lost in picturing Dean’s lips against mine to turn it off once I’d been done washing my hands.

Dean doesn’t say anything as I dry off my hands and walk over to the oven. I expect him to move as I get closer, but he keeps his feet planted as I step around him to check the lasagna. It’s sat long enough that it no longer bubbles. He’s right about the smell; it smells incredible in the kitchen.

“I can’t believe Clara actually talked you into getting Honey,” I say to Dean as I walk over to grab the plates from the table. I can’t help but notice the shakiness to my voice from nerves. I hope my attempt at changing the subject will help me regain my composure—and that he isn’t weirded out about how I’m acting.

He crosses one ankle over the other, clearly getting comfortable as I step closer to the oven. My elbow brushes the front of his dress shirt as I grab a serving spoon.

His cologne overpowers the smell of the lasagna. Or maybe it’s just that I’m obsessed with the way he smells. I want to plead with him to move so I’m not plagued with unprofessional thoughts about him just because he’s standing close to me.

“It wasn’t just Clara who talked me into it,” Dean begins, reminding me that I’d even said something to begin with. “It was you, too.”

I let out a nervous laugh.Why is he standing so close?

I cut out a little square of the lasagna and scoop it onto a plate, all while Dean intently watches me do the whole thing.He brought home the puppy, and suddenly, the air between us seems thicker. I know it’s got to be all in my head.

“Since I got paid this morning, I was going to go into town tomorrow morning to get some more clothes. Pippa told me there’s a thrift store in town where I might be able to score some good finds. I can grab supplies for Honey while I’m out if needed,” I offer.

---