Page 49 of Wild Dreams

Pam walked into the room, wiping her hands on a towel. "Scarlett, can you help me with the potatoes?"

Scarlett rose. "Of course.

Eli walked with her. "I'm starving."

"It's not like she's going to let you eat," Scarlett's voice drifted off as they disappeared into the kitchen, Oakley trotting behind.

Chance leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. "What do you think you're doing?"

"You're the one who said we had to pretend nothing happened. I'm just playing my part," I hissed.

He raised a brow. "A little too good if you ask me."

I jabbed a finger in the direction of his truck parked outside. "You were clear on what you wanted. You can't get upset when I move on."

His jaw tightened. "I don't like it."

"Then I guess you have a decision to make." I stood with the intention of following Scarlett, but Chance rose at the same time and snagged my wrist, pulling me close. "I want you."

I rolled my eyes, my heart thumping. "If only it were as simple as that. I'm not a toy you can dangle in the air and jerk around."

Chance bit off a curse word. "I'm not doing that."

"Aren't you?" I pulled my wrist from his hand and forced myself to walk away. Chance couldn't push me away, thenact jealous when I moved on. If he only wanted me because someone else did too, I deserved better than that. Sure, I wanted Chance, but I wasn't going to play some game with him or be subjected to him changing his mind every five seconds.

Scarlett grinned at me when I entered the kitchen. "You can help peel the potatoes."

The kitchen was filled with sunlight, and holiday music played over a speaker. Bart and Eli stood near the counter, holding drinks.

"We'll get done twice as fast," Pam said as she cubed the potatoes, dropping them into a large bowl.

I grabbed a scraper and stood between the two women. I was happy to help out.

"You want to throw a football?" Eli asked when Chance walked in. "They won't let us eat."

Chance chuckled. "The funny thing is that you thought they would."

When Eli reached for a cookie on a platter on the counter, Pam slapped his hand. "We're making dinner. You don't need to snack all day."

"I don't know about the hospitality at your house," Eli said to Scarlett.

Scarlett pointed her peeler at him. "Please, you've been family since we were kids. No one gets special treatment around here."

"I love when you talk mean to me." Eli grinned, then kissed her.

Scarlett smiled as she watched them walk outside, ribbing each other about who was the better player on their football team.

"Take Oakley with you," I called after Chance.

"Good idea." He double-backed to grab the leash I'd left in the foyer, clipped it onto his collar, then led him outside.

Bart waved a hand outside. "I better make sure they don't get into any trouble."

"You do that," Pam said, probably happy he was out of the kitchen. When it was just us girls, she asked, "Are you dating anyone, dear? I overheard you talking about dating in the living room."

I cleared my throat, wishing I'd thought to grab some water. "Not at the moment." Was my voice high-pitched? I sounded guilty. Would she know I'd slept with her son? I'd never been in this position before, and it didn't feel good.

Scarlett smiled triumphantly. "Not to worry. I've got her on a dating app. She's going to meet the guy of her dreams."

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