*Olivia*

I froze, staring at my ringing phone. My heart leaped to my throat. I felt suddenly watched, anxious. I said I’d call him, right?

Dahlia raised an eyebrow. “Gonna answer?”

I took a deep breath. I was overthinking. It wasn’t weird for him to call. Most dads called their children all the time. Hell, Dahlia and James had a weekly call.

I set down the paint bowls, grabbed my phone, and pressed it to my ear with slightly shaking hands. ...