Page 47 of Wild Dreams

I hated the distance I saw in her eyes, but we didn't have a choice. Neither of us were ready for the fallout last night would cause with my family. "Do you need to be home at a particular time?"

"My parents said they'd call to wish me a happy Thanksgiving at some point, but I don't plan my day around them."

Odds are they wouldn't call. "If you need to go home early, just let me know."

"Of course." Marigold's body was stiff, her gaze closed off.

I'd screwed up. But I thought I was thinking about this logically. No matter how nice last night felt for both of us. It was a dream world. One that wasn't real.

She pulled the handle and hopped out before I could help her, grabbing Oakley and letting him sniff the grass.

I grabbed the pie. Then I knocked on the door.

Dad answered. "Marigold. So glad you could make it."

"Thanks for having me," she said as she hugged him, then slipped inside.

Dad slapped my shoulder. "Good job getting her to come. She usually says she has plans. Your mom thinks she spends the holiday alone."

"I think so too."

I went inside, hanging my jacket on the hook by the door. There was football playing on the TV in the living room, and Marigold was talking to my mom in the kitchen.

I headed into the living room to avoid Marigold. She wasn't happy with me right now, and I wasn't sure I could fix it.

Eli sat on one of the end chairs with Scarlett perched on his thigh.

I pulled to a stop in front of them. "I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing you two together."

Scarlett rolled her eyes as she stood and hugged me. "Get over it."

I hugged her tight, then leaned over to shake Eli's hand. "Glad you could make it."

"It's nice to be here too. It feels like we're family. Something I think we were always meant to be."

Scarlett beamed at him as she sat back in his lap, her arm around his shoulders. They kissed, and I averted my gaze.

That made me pause. Eli felt like he was always meant to be part of our family?

Marigold walked in, leaning down to hug Scarlett, then Eli.

"Glad you could make it," Eli said to her.

"I worked on the play. It should be done by Monday."

"No worries. We can start with what you have next week," Scarlett said.

"Don't you want to read the entire thing? What if it's terrible?"

Scarlett laughed. "I'm sure it will be great."

Marigold sat on the couch across from them, looking stiff and uncomfortable. Not to arouse suspicion, I sat on the other end chair. It was overstuffed and comfortable. I looked at the screen, not really watching the game.

"Have you gotten any hits yet?" Scarlett asked Marigold.

Hits? What were they talking about?

"Honestly? I haven't even checked." Marigold rolled her phone over to see the screen.

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