Page 53 of Wild Love

"I wouldn't mind having you around more often."

"You know you love me."

She rested her elbows on the table. "I've missed you. I've always respected your desire for freedom, but I selfishly hope you'll see how great it is in our hometown and stay."

"Not happening," I said, not wanting to get her hopes up.

She held up her fingers to indicate a small amount of time. "A few weeks. That's all I'm asking."

"That will take us into November."

"What do you think about a performance the week before Thanksgiving?" Marigold got out the calendar on her phone.

"It must be official if you're putting it into your calendar."

Marigold raised a brow. "You know it."

When she lowered her phone, I said, "I never even thought about directing a play before you mentioned it." I played with the straw wrapper. "Why do you think I can do it?"

She gestured toward my purse. "Why do you assume my play is any good?"

"I know you can write."

"Because I wrote a few good papers in school?"

"I've always thought you were talented. I'm actually surprised you didn't do more with it."

Marigold looked away. "Everyone knows you don't make any money writing."

"Do they?" I asked, always quick to question what people said to be true.

"That's what my parents said. But I love being a librarian. I enjoy working with kids and books."

But she wanted kids of her own. Maybe even a little side hustle where she shared her writing with the world. I felt selfishfor leaving and not checking in with my friend for so long. Just because we got older didn't mean that we had to lose touch. I'd done that on my own. And maybe agreeing to do this play with her would be a payback of sorts. "I'll read your play tonight and let you know."

She brightened. "That's great." Then she sagged. "But what if it sucks?"

"It won't. Besides, it's for kids. They'll love anything."

"I hope so. I tried to fit a lesson into thirty pages. It wasn't easy."

"I'm sure it's great."

Our pizza came, and we dug in. I enjoyed being home and interacting with Marigold, Chance, and even Eli. My group of friends was expanding. I had my family and Eli's.

When we were stuffed, we sat back to wait for the check.

"We have to find you a man," I said rubbing my belly.

"We don't."

"You want to date."

"I want a serious relationship. I don't want any of the other stuff that comes with dating."

"Stick with me. I've got your back, girl."

"You're the only one who ever got me into trouble. Your brother had to bail us out on more than one occasion."

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