Page 15 of Wild Love

"Enough about me. How are things with your family?" Marigold asked gently, knowing how I'd always felt like I didn't fit in. She understood my need to get out of here after graduation.

"Awkward as usual. They're happy I'm home. But I know they're wondering when I'll leave again."

"Are you staying with them?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm only here for a short while. No point in looking for an apartment. But it's weird staying in my childhood bedroom. Nothing has changed."

"You might confuse them at times, but they've always loved you."

I shrugged. That didn't mean I didn't feel like they deserved better. A daughter like Marigold who followed the rules, studied, and got good grades. She probably brought home the nice guys. Not ones that rode away with their daughter on a motorcycle.

"How is the theater?"

"I love it." I loved being someone else on stage, and I adored singing. I was transported to another place up there. And it satisfied my wandering soul. It was just my boss that ruined what I loved about my job. Now I wasn't sure I could ever go back that lifestyle. My trust was blown.

"Are you in between jobs?" Marigold asked as the waitress dropped off our iced teas.

"Not exactly." I ran a shaky hand over my thigh.

Marigold frowned. "Did something happen?"

She always had my back. I could trust her. Even if it hadbeen years since I'd been home. "My boss was getting a little handsy."

At her disgusted look, I quickly added, "It was nothing I couldn't handle."

"Did you complain about it?"

I laughed without any humor. "Complain to who? He's the one in charge. He wrote my paychecks. It was either put up with it or leave. So I left."

Marigold surprised me by reaching across the table to cover my hand with hers. "I'm so sorry that happened to you. What are you going to do?"

"Hope Steve didn't blacklist me with every other theater company, so I can find a new job." The problem was they wouldn't like that I'd left in the middle of a production. And I'm sure he'd already told everyone his side of the story.

Marigold brightened. "I just had the best idea. Some of the kids have been asking for a theater class. Would you like to come in and teach one?"

My face heated. That sounded a lot like a commitment. "I'm sure you could find someone more qualified."

Marigold gave me a disbelieving look. "You literally work in theater."

"I don't have a degree, and I know nothing about kids." Occasionally, we worked with child actors. I enjoyed their enthusiasm, but I wasn't sure I could teach a class to a lot of them.

"Will you come and meet with a few kids that are interested? Maybe you could answer their questions about what it's like to act."

My throat was suddenly very dry. "Yeah, I could do that."

Marigold smiled and clapped her hands together. "Yay! I'm so excited."

I held up my hand. "I'm not promising anything. I'll do my best."

"You're so passionate about acting and singing. I'm hopeful that will come through, and the kids will love you."

I shook my head, laughing. "I forgot how positive you can be."

Our food came, and we dug in. "This is so good. I feel like I'm always eating sandwiches on the go. I never get to sit and enjoy a meal." By the time our shows were done in the evening, only bars were open, and I was a little tired of that scene.

But I had enjoyed sitting at the bar in Eli's lodge. I sensed his eyes on me, and it made me feel powerful, beautiful even. I hadn't felt that way in a long time.

Steve broke down my confidence and made me question my sanity when I just wanted to focus on my work.

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