Page 60 of Forbidden Love

Mac raised a brow. “So that’s a no?”

“I’d love to look into it, but I’d want Kylie by my side to help out. She’s the one who has good instincts for marketing.”

I flushed at his compliment. Then it was time for the Fletchers to bat, so they grabbed helmets and bats and warmed up.

Tyler’s mom approached me when the guys went back to their team to bat. “You have a knack for fundraising.”

I held up my hands. “I haven’t counted the money yet.”

“I hope it’s enough to get you started.”

“You think we will need to have multiple events to fund it?” I asked, genuinely interested in learning everything I could from her.

“I think you will. When I raise money for travel teams, we hold five to seven fundraisers during the season, and it takes all year to get the equipment we want. Of course, some of it is fun stuff, like bags with their names and numbers on them. But I love that they are so pleased with the things they receive. They want to look like they are part of a team.”

“I can see that,” I said, encouraged by her statement. I just needed to lower my expectations slightly.

“How are you and Tyler?” she asked.

“He’s been a great help. He helped me brainstorm ideas and post flyers everywhere.”

“He said you helped him with the plans for his house too.”

“Yeah, he seemed stuck. Like he wasn’t sure what he wanted. I just helped him get unstuck.” I wondered if she was trying to figure out what we were to each other. We hadn’t exactly hidden our relationship at the play.

“You’re good for him.”

My face heated. “Oh, we’re not—”

She quirked a brow at me. “Are you saying you’re not seeing my son?”

“Honestly? We haven’t labeled anything. I might be leaving soon.”

It hurt to admit that to his mother, but I didn’t want to give her false hope.

“Oh? I didn’t realize you had gotten a job,” she said.

My chest tightened. “I didn’t. I’m not even looking.”

“Then why would say you might leave soon?”

“That was always the plan.” But did it have to be? What if this thing between Tyler and me was real?

“You don’t think things will change?”

“I never wanted to stay in Telluride.”

“You didn’t feel like you fit in with your family,” she said, and it wasn’t a question.

“Yeah. I know it sounds silly.”

“It doesn’t at all.”

“My dad mentioned a position may be opening up at the lodge. I can’t help but think he’s watching my progress with this project to see if I’m capable of handling the job. I’m not sure I’ve proven I’m worthy of it.”

“Failure or success doesn’t rise or fall based on the amount of money you raised, but whether you planned a good event and drew interest to your cause. You can always plan another event and another until you have the money you need. And some projects have a fundraiser for each one.”

“It’s good to know there are other options. That I can pivot when I need to.”

---