Page 34 of Wild Dreams

"That might be a little tight. It's already the end of November."

"Everyone will love it, though." It was something I could distract myself with too. No more Chance St. Claire on my mind.

"Do you have anything written? I don't think I've read a holiday one from you yet."

I shook my head. "No. But I have an idea."

Scarlett tipped her head to the side. "How long will it take you to write it?"

My forehead wrinkled. "If I have uninterrupted time, maybe a week."

Scarlett tipped her head to the side. "Even with your schedule at the library?"

I nodded. I'd need to walk Oakley and play with him. But I was sure if I got up early to write and stayed up late, I could have something drafted fairly soon.

"It's up to you. I don't want to overwork you at the holidays."

"I want to do this." It was a story line I'd dreamed about as a little girl. I was so lonely all the time. I came home to an empty house and sometimes spent all evening without talking to another person. Other than the occasional check-in from my parents saying they were working late again.

It was about a girl who wanted to run into Santa. She'd ask him to decorate her house for Christmas. Her second wish was for her parents to be home for Christmas, not making an excuse to work at some point during the day. It always felt like they wanted to get away from me. Now that I was an adult, I realized they were just devoted to their work and derived their sense of purpose from it.

But I wasn't sure how I could alter the story to fit a wider audience. My experience wasn't most people's. I'd need to think about it. It wasn't ready to write. Not yet.

But I wouldn't tell Scarlett that. I was sure I could come up with something that could work with a more universal theme.

"I don't have any issues with doing a holiday production. I'm sure everyone will be excited." Scarlett clapped her hands together.

I hoped I could finish the story in a way that would satisfy everyone. It was a risk since I didn't have the story flushed out completely, but I wanted to do this for Scarlett. I was so grateful she was home for good.

"Killian is coming home for Christmas this year. The family is excited about it."

"You're going to have the perfect Christmas this year between your family and the Wildes." It was her first holiday at homewith both of the families. I hoped she didn't hear the longing in my voice.

"What are your parents doing for Christmas?" Scarlett asked.

"They said they hoped to be home this year." They always said that, and it was never true. Since I turned eighteen, they gave up any pretense of doing things for me. They probably assumed I didn't need them anymore.

Scarlett smiled politely. "Oh, good. That will be nice."

I didn't tell Scarlett that they never came. She hadn't been home for the holidays in years, so she wouldn't know. I usually laid low on the holidays so no one felt like they had to invite me to their family's Christmas dinner. I didn't want to be pitied. I'd always been fine by myself. But I couldn't help but think it could be better if I was dating someone.

Scarlett smiled and clapped her hands together again. "I have a feeling it's going to be the best Christmas ever."

"How could it not be? You're going to be home."

"You're the best friend a girl could have. I was absent for so long, and everyone welcomed me back. Sometimes I don't feel like I deserve all of this. Eli, my family, the theater." Scarlett waved her hand around us.

"You deserve all of that and more." Scarlett struggled with feelings of not fitting in, but she'd recently overcome those thoughts.

Scarlett reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "This is going to happen for you too."

"I know it will," I said with less conviction than she had. I wasn't so sure. There must be a reason that my parents didn't want to spend time with me. Maybe I was really boring like some of the guys I'd dated insinuated.

The thing was, I knew what I liked and what I wanted. I wouldn't settle for anything less. I wouldn't sit around and feel sorry for myself either.

A short while later, we said our goodbyes. I was positive Eli had texted her at some point and asked when she'd be headed home. I tried and failed not to be jealous. I couldn't remember the last time I had good sex. She alluded to it here and there, and it sounded amazing. Like nothing I'd ever experienced.

I immediately went home and began to plot my holiday play. I brainstormed until it was late, then took Oakley out one more time before collapsing into bed.

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