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

melting away. This was what I needed: the familiar rhythm

the comfort of home.

with a chocolate

again. “He was being

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repeated, looking unconvinced. ‘Is that what the

arm lightly. “Stop

leaned forward. “What are his intentions, Liv? Because he looks at you like you’re the answer to a question he’s

choked on my pastry. “Dad! He

may be

old,” Mom and I said in

changing the subject,” Dad added

nothing to tell.

progressing at a carefully choreographed pace, exactly

to know each other first.

“You proposed to

I ever made,” he

murmured

his attention back to me. “Just be careful, Liv. Men

me, I know.” More than

what do you want?” Mom asked

my family – check. Career advancement – probably check, thanks to Alexander’s influence. But beyond

realizing I hadn’t really thought

my hand. “That’s all we want for

formed in my throat. They had no idea what I’d agreed

smile. “Tell me about your new medication. Any

reenactments of how each one made him feel.

an imaginary pill, “makes me pee like a

exclaimed.

natural. Everyone

everyone discusses it

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Chapter 73

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