Page 63 of Wild Love

I could stay here forever, but it was too early to fall asleep. Eventually, I propped myself up on one elbow.

"I ordered the costumes and set pieces you needed."

"You're too good to me."

"It's nothing you don't deserve." I didn't tell her I'd expedited shipping, so we'd have them in time. "And I secured the Fletcher boys to help with set design."

"You don't think it's overkill to hire contractors for a kid's play?"

"I didn't hire them. I called in a favor."

"We could build them ourselves." Her tone was filled with exasperation.

"The point of the town play is that the community comes together and helps out. Everyone wants to be a part of the theater reopening, and they want to help the kids."

"Well, when you put it like that?—"

"You can't say no," I said as I kissed her softly on the lips.

"I'm just used to the theater always struggling for funding. I've never had this much support from the community before."

"You've never worked in Telluride. We're different here." We came together and help each other. And it had nothing to do with getting one Scarlett St. Claire to stay forever. That was up to me. I just hoped I was up for the task.

15

SCARLETT

The last few days with Eli had been magical. There was our night on the roof where we slept in the cabana then watched the sun rise over the horizon. He'd made it a habit to stop by my condo in the evenings.

I was insatiable when I was around him. I chalked it up to knowing I'd be leaving soon and enjoying every minute with the hot business owner. He was my complete opposite in almost every way, but we were more than compatible in bed.

Tonight, I'd promised Chance I'd go to dinner with him. He seemed to want to connect, and I'd give him a chance, hoping he didn't try and pressure me into staying in town.

My goal was to find out what was going on with him and Marigold without revealing what was happening between me and Eli.

The snow had been coming down all day, so I hadn't ventured out, other than to go to rehearsal. I was consumed with set design, costumes, and getting the kids to learn their lines. It was more challenging than working with adults.

I met Chance at the hostess stand in the lodge's steak restaurant.

Chance immediately held his arms out for a hug. "It's nice to meet up for dinner when you're in town."

When I eased back, I caught the grimace on his face. "What's wrong?"

"I promised myself and a few other people I wouldn't pressure you about staying."

Pleased he was trying, I patted his chest. "It's fine."

"Two?" the hostess asked, and Chance nodded.

We followed her to a table by the window. I wondered if Eli reserved this one for us because it had the best view in the restaurant. I told Eli to stay away so that we didn't accidentally give off any hint that we were sleeping together. He thought that was funny. Probably because he wasn't the one putting on a front for my brother tonight.

I had a feeling Eli didn't like lying to his friend. But there was no point in telling Chance the truth about when I was leaving anyway. It was more important to maintain Eli's friendship with Chance.

I wouldn't ruin a lifelong friendship for a momentary lapse in judgment, something that was barely more than a vacation fling.

We ordered our steak and potatoes. Water for him and a white wine for me. Then Chance leaned his elbows on the table.

I sucked in a breath, certain an interrogation was coming.

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