Page 22 of Wild Love

"I could get used to this."

I winked at her. "And never want to leave."

Scarlet shook her head. "Did Chance put you up to this?"

I pushed the Down button for the elevator. "He just asked me to keep an eye on you while you're here. He can't help but worry about the people close to him."

"I've been nothing but a pain since the day I was born."

I frowned. "No one in your family has said that about you."

"They didn't have to. I know what people think. I'm ungrateful for the amazing family I was born into. Always looking for something else. As if the grass was greener anywhere else."

"I didn't take you for someone who cared what people thought."

Her shoulders lowered. "I guess I do."

"That makes you human." The doors closed, and we were alone in the elevator. Would I see her much, or would she be hidden away in her condo?

"What made you decide to stay longer?"

"Marigold asked me to teach a theater class at the library."

"Wow. That's—" I was going to say amazing, but I didn't want to scare her away.

"It's just one class. Don't worry; she'll see I'm not a teacher and won't ask me to come back."

I chuckled at that. I remembered how she used to act out plays on the grounds of the resort. She'd beg us to participate, then get annoyed when we had more fun fightingwith the makeshift swords. "Why didn't you ever perform in one of the high-school musicals?"

"You know me. I was too busy getting into trouble." Her voice was light, but her eyes were heavy.

I leaned against the wall, considering her. "You would have been amazing."

"I wasn't that person."

The door opened, and I snagged her wrist as she started to walk out. "Scarlett. You can be whoever you want to be. You don't have to do what others tell you to do or even the opposite. The question is—what do you want?"

6

SCARLETT

What do you want?

The words played on repeat in my head when I told my parents that I was moving into the lodge and when I packed my things. My parents didn't say anything, but I sensed they were disappointed I wasn't staying with them. But I think they understood that I needed my space. I'd been a free spirit for so long I couldn't be tied down. Not by anyone.

But I'd never taken the time to ask myself what I wanted. The question unsettled me. What if I'd been driven by the wrong things all my life?

I felt bad for moving out of my parents' house, but that condo was the nicest place I'd ever lived. I was tempted to never leave. The view, the large kitchen, and that rooftop deck. It was pure decadence. For once, I could learn to cook.

I picked up a bunch of groceries, hoping to make my first meal in my new place. I attempted to carry all the plastic bags to the elevator, but then I couldn't get out my key for the elevator.

Eli rushed over. "Whoa. You need help?"

"Can you get the elevator?" I asked, wishing I could swipe thehair out of my face, but my hands were full of plastic bags that weighed me down.

He swiped his card, then grabbed the majority of the bags.

"I had it," I said as I stepped into the elevator and finally brushed the hair off my face.

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