Chase Our Forever (Sutten Mountain #3)

2. Liv

2

LIV

I’m lost in between the pages of my book when a flash of red catches my attention. I look up, finding Lexi taking a seat in the booth across from me.

She wears a wide smile as she slides another coffee across the table in my direction. This is my third coffee of the day—well, it’s probably about afternoon now—and each mug she’s given me has been different. They look like they’ve been thrifted, which makes me love this little coffee shop and cafe even more. The one she’s slid in front of me now has pink flowers all over it, and it even comes with a matching plate.

“I’m on my break,” she explains. “Can I sit with you for a minute?” She lifts her mug to her lips, blowing on the steaming liquid before taking a hesitant sip. Her mug is a pale yellow. The color is so light it almost looks white.

I nod, excited to have some company. Although, not once have I felt lonely since I walked through the doors. Everyone has been so welcoming despite no one here knowing who I am. I don’t know if I just scream that I’m a lost soul or if this town is really truly so small they all can spot a wayward traveler easily, but either way, many of them have smiled in my direction or struck up small conversations.

“I told Pippa—my boss—that if she gets a chance, she should come over and meet you. I thought she could when she first came in, but there was something else she had to attend to in the back before mingling. You two need to meet, though. Since you were a huge fan of the pumpkin cinnamon roll and all.”

My eyelids flutter closed for a moment, thinking about that cinnamon roll. It might be the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth. I’m already wondering if I should just buy another one to be able to experience the delicacy again. If I wasn’t so full, I’d already have a second one in front of me.

“It was truly delicious. I’m going to be dreaming about that cinnamon roll for months.”

Lexi laughs. “I could eat five a day. They’re just that good.” She reaches across the table and pats the book in front of me. “How’s your book? You’ve been buried in it since you came in.”

I shrug. “I’ve always liked escaping to other worlds, and the book is good. It’s been really peaceful to sit here and read it.”

Lexi takes a sip of her coffee, her eyes trained on me. Typically, I don’t go out of my way to speak to strangers. Back home, talking with unfamiliar people led to nothing but trouble. I have to remind myself that not everyone is as terrible as I imagine them to be, and with this fresh start, I need to be more open to getting to know people. After all, even the best of friends or the most intimate of lovers start out as strangers. “Where are you headed to?” Lexi asks, setting her coffee back down.

I lean back in the booth, unsure how to answer the question. I decide to go for the truth, too tired to come up with a lie. “I don’t know.”

Her head tilts. “Like you don’t remember, or you just don’t know?”

“I just don’t know,” I answer honestly. “I just left home for the first time in my life. It was needed, and I’m enjoying the freedom of just not being there . As far as my final destination, I’m not sure where that’ll be yet.”

Lexi opens her mouth to respond, but her eyes go wide before she can get her words out. “Is that my Clara?” she asks enthusiastically, her eyes trained on the door. She slides out of the booth in an instant, closing the distance to the front door and scooping up a little girl with lopsided pigtails.

The little girl screeches, her arms closing around Lexi’s neck. “Lexi!” she screams excitedly.

I miss whatever the little girl—apparently Clara—says to Lexi next because I’m distracted by the flustered, incredibly attractive man who runs through the door after her.

“ Clara !” he gets out, his tone concerned. “You can’t just run ahead of me, honey. I was worried.”

The little girl looks between Lexi and the man with an apologetic smile. Her brown eyes focus on the man. “Sorry, Daddy. I wanted to see Lexi.”

Lexi keeps ahold of the little girl but turns to face the man—who I’ve gathered is Clara’s dad. “Good morning, Dean.”

The man’s chiseled cheeks hollow out for a moment before he lets out a rush of air. “Is it really still morning? Clara’s been at work with me, and I could’ve sworn it was afternoon by now.”

I shift awkwardly in the booth, wondering if I’m supposed to be eavesdropping on the conversation. They stand so close to the table it’s kind of hard not to hear everything they’re saying, but I also don’t want to come off as creepy.

“You’re right. It’s afternoon,” Lexi responds to Dean. “Have you been at work with your dad all morning?” Lexi wonders, looking at the little girl. She playfully tickles underneath her neck, earning the cutest giggle I’ve ever heard from the toddler. “How boring that must’ve been for you, Clara. Time to have fun with Lexi.”

Lexi props her on her hip and looks back to Dean. “No Sally today?”

He frowns before running a hand over his mouth. “It didn’t work out with Callie ,” he emphasizes the name to correct her. “She hasn’t been Clara’s nanny since last week.”

I watch them carefully, wondering where Clara’s mother might be. Lexi doesn’t ask about her, but a brief glimpse at Dean’s ring finger tells me he doesn’t wear one.

“Did you find someone new?” Lexi asks, setting the girl down and watching her run to the display case of food.

Dean shakes his head. “I’m trying to. Mom’s getting older now; I don’t want to ask her to watch Clara every single day. But you know how it is, Lexi. It’s hard to find someone I trust with my daughter.”

Lexi nods as she sadly looks from Clara to Dean. “Well, Pippa and I can help out today if you have any important meetings to get to.”

Dean lets out a breath of relief. I watch the interaction closely, feeling kind of sorry for him. He clearly seems stressed. He runs his hand through the longer hair at the top of his head. His eyes don’t leave his daughter as she points to every sweet treat.

“I don’t want to impose. She can come with me the rest of the day—I was coming in to get a few items to use to bribe her for the afternoon. You know Pippa’s muffins and cupcakes are the key to her heart.”

Lexi laughs. “Leave her with us.” She looks at me as if she just remembered I was here. “It was slow anyway, so I was just getting to know…” She pauses, her bottom lip jutting out in a small pout as she thinks something over. “Oh my god, I’m terrible. I never got your name.”

My eyes go wide as the little girl runs back over and pulls on her dad’s pant leg until he picks her up. She mutters something to him, but I can’t understand it.

“Oh, me?” I ask awkwardly, with both Lexi and Dean’s eyes trained on me. I swallow, knowing Lexi wouldn’t be asking anyone else. “My name’s Liv.”

“Just Liv?” Lexi asks.

I nod. “Just Liv.”

“Well, Dean, this is Liv. Liv, this is Dean.” Lexi focuses on Dean once again. “Liv and I were just talking about her road trip adventure. I have some time on my hands. Pippa’s here, too. We’ll watch Clara, and you can go to your meetings. Okay?”

Lexi’s tone is matter-of-fact. She seems young, like she couldn’t have graduated high school too long ago, but the confident tone she uses makes her seem far older. Dean swallows, his pronounced Adam’s apple moving up and down his throat. “I can’t ask you to help again.”

His answer makes me wonder if this is a normal occurrence. It sounds like he often needs help with childcare. I also ask myself if he and Lexi are friends? Maybe family? I want answers to questions I have no right to know, but I can’t help it. I’m naturally curious.

Lexi swats at the air, moving over to the counter. “It’s already been decided,” she says, turning her attention to the little girl in Dean’s arms. “What kind of cupcake do you want today, Clara?”