Chapter 73

Olivia

I kissed her cheek and headed to the living room, where Dad reclined in his armchair with the remote in hand. He looked better than the last time I’d seen him, less pale and more alert. The surgery had worked wonders, even if the recovery was slow.

“Hey, Dad.”

He turned, his face breaking into a smile. “Liv! This is a nice surprise.”

“Not a surprise. I told Mom I was coming.”

“Well, she didn’t tell me.” He patted the couch beside his chair. “Sit. Tell me about your day.”

“Work was work. Nothing exciting.”

Dad’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “That’s good. Boring is better than drama.”

“How about you? Are you feeling better?” I handed him the bakery box, which he accepted with exaggerated reverence.

“Much better. Doc says I’m healing right on schedule.” He peeked inside the box, his face lighting up. “You’re my favorite daughter.”

“I’m your only daughter.”

“Still counts.” He winked, then his expression turned sly. “So how’s that boyfriend of yours? Alexander?”

I fidgeted with my watch strap. “He’s good.”

“Just good? The man who swooped in like Prince Charming at the hospital is just ‘good“?” Dad raised an eyebrow.

“Fine. He’s great. Busy with work, you know how it is.” I shifted uncomfortably, desperate to change the subject.

Mom bustled in with a tray of mugs. “Coffee’s ready. And I’ve put those lovely pastries on plates.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” I said, reaching for a mug. “I would’ve helped.”

“Nonsense. You work all day.” She settled into her favorite armchair. “Besides, your father’s been driving me crazy all afternoon. I needed the kitchen break.”

Dad looked offended. “I’ve been a model patient.”

“A model complainer, maybe.” Mom took a sip of her coffee. “He wanted bacon for breakfast. Bacon! After heart surgery!”

turkey bacon,” Dad

laughed, feeling the tension of the day melting away. This was what I needed: the familiar rhythm

the comfort of home.

passing me a plate with a chocolate croissant,

“He was

1/4

‘Is that what the

smacked his arm lightly. “Stop

Liv? Because he looks at you like you’re the answer to

my pastry. “Dad! He does

may be old, but I’m not

not old,” Mom and I

the subject,” Dad

“There’s nothing to

fake relationship was progressing at a carefully choreographed

other first. None of

snorted. “You proposed to

ever

save,” I murmured into

Liv. Men like Alexander Carter are used

know.” More

you

my family – check. Career advancement – probably check, thanks to

hadn’t really

and squeezed my hand. “That’s all we

what I’d agreed

a smile. “Tell

account of his pill regimen, complete with dramatic reenactments of how

Dad held up an

Mom exclaimed.

natural.

everyone discusses

2/4

Chapter 73

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255