Page 92 of Wild Love

If I didn't, I'd lose the most important person in my life. Iwasn't willing to go down without a fight. It just wasn't the one I was expecting.

If this didn't work, I'd be moving into a huge house by myself. And despite what I told Scarlett, I had no intentions of moving on with anyone else.

Scarlett was the love of my life.

21

SCARLETT

I'd gone to Eli's last night to talk to him about our fight. I wanted to get some clarity. But it seemed like Eli was fine, and he was ready to move on. Apparently, our relationship was merely a learning experience for him.

I couldn't get over the fact that he'd said he loved me but was okay with walking away after one disagreement. Our relationship was supposed to be temporary, but something changed for me. I wanted more, but now I wasn't sure where I stood with Eli.

It almost seemed like he was okay with me leaving. He'd already made plans to build a house and fill it with kids. That shouldn't have hurt because we never discussed doing that together, but it did.

I should have been focused on preparing for our performance. Guests were starting to arrive, and the backstage was pure chaos. Kids walked around in various states of dress, chasing each other with tree branches, squealing and laughing.

I should have reprimanded them, told them to be serious about their first performance. But I couldn't. This was how theater should be for kids. It was fun and light. The kids wereperforming in front of a large audience for the first time and needed to get the energy out.

I gathered the adults and directed everyone to different stations so we could get the kids dressed and into hair and makeup, then hand them any props they needed for the first scene.

The sets on stage looked amazing. The Fletchers had done a phenomenal job, and it didn't feel like a kids' production.

As it got closer to start time, I encouraged the kids to drink and eat a snack. I was familiar with how often they needed to eat at this point, and I didn't want anyone to be hungry on stage.

Finally, when the lights dimmed, I moved onto the stage in front of the curtain.

"I want to thank everyone for coming tonight. This is an original play,The Magical Forest,written by Marigold Fox and directed by yours truly. The kids worked really hard the last few weeks, so please silence your phones. Photography and filming is encouraged." This was a kids' production after all.

With a bright smile, I moved off the stage and nodded toward Eli who slowly opened the curtains.

John was frozen in place, and Emma nudged him, whispering the first line to him. His eyes cleared, and he said his first line a little too loud. There were a few laughs in the crowd, but otherwise I was happy he recovered.

I moved off to the side so I could watch the kids as they came on and off the stage. I was quick with encouragement and to remind them to eat and drink on breaks. Marigold escorted kids to the bathrooms. It was a well-oiled machine. I was familiar with how these things worked but wasn't sure it would be the same with kids.

It was nice to work closely with Eli. He was quick with a smile and a nod in my direction. But I couldn't understand why he wasn't upset I was leaving tomorrow.

I focused on the play and tried not to think about how I hadto get on a plane early tomorrow morning. Marigold had agreed to drive me to the airport. Chance was working, and my parents were going to the farmers market. It was as if nothing would change when I left.

No one seemed upset. It was as if no one expected me to stay, and they were okay with me leaving. The problem was, I wasn't so sure I was okay with it anymore.

The quicker we moved through the scenes, the tighter the vice on my chest felt. When the play was over, so too would be my time in Telluride. I never wanted to stay before. I was always eager to see the world, meet new people, but now my heart ached at the idea of leaving everyone behind.

I couldn't ignore the biggest draw of all—Eli Wilde. I'd never felt a bigger connection with anyone, and I'd screwed everything up.

He'd bought the building so I could host my play in it. He saved it from being turned into a restaurant. It was a sweet gesture even if it was a bit overbearing. I'd never had any man do something so over-the-top for me, and I was leaving it all behind.

He'd probably sell the theater when I was gone or, worse, hire someone to replace me. Would she be better for him? Would she be a city girl looking for a small town to settle into? Would she fit in like I never did?

After the kids took their final bows, Eli forced me onto the stage to a standing ovation. I wondered if I'd miscalculated my influence here. Afterward, I stood in the lobby talking to everyone, clutching one of the bouquets of flowers I'd been given.

Parents expressed their gratitude that I'd brought theater to the kids. It hurt that I had to walk away from this. I could see myself hosting year-round classes, seasonal performances, and even camps in the summer.

Would Eli had given me free rein with the theater? That was a sense of freedom I'd never experienced in a production before.Why hadn't we talked about the possibilities the other night? Instead, I'd shut him down. I'd gotten defensive, assuming the worst of him.

I should tell him before I leave. Tell him I was an idiot. But I wasn't sure it mattered any more. Eli was full of smiles tonight.

Finally, he clapped his hands then whistled to get everyone's attention. "We have a surprise in the auditorium if everyone will come back inside."

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