Page 77 of Wild Love

Brunch was a temporary distraction. I knew Chance still wanted to talk to me about why his sister jumped on me after the skydive.

I could tell him we'd developed a friendship, and she was just worried about me. Marigold was just as panicked, and she wasn't dating any of the guys.

I wanted to tell him the truth. I was falling in love with his sister, but I wasn't sure she felt the same. The ache in my chest grew bigger every day that passed between now and the performance of Marigold's play.

I didn't want to do anything that would push Scarlett away. On the other hand, I didn't want to make her stay either. She had a free spirit, and I wouldn't ask her to clip her wings. She'd grow to resent me.

I had a feeling that I should let her go. If she came back then, we were meant to be. But she hadn't talked about leaving or a job offer. I wasn't sure what it meant but I was afraid to hope that she'd want to stay.

Scarlett St. Claire never stayed in any one place for long. Why would she change for me? It was outside of her character.

I wanted to come home to Scarlett at the house on the mountain. I already had a successful business, but I wanted more.

If Scarlett left, I was going to be crushed. I'd thought a lot about whether I could handle long-distance, and I wasn't sure I was equipped for it. Her shows lasted several weeks to sometimes months. Would she return for a week or even a few days? Was that enough to sustain a relationship? I'm sure it worked for some people. I just wasn't sure I was cut out for it.

I was hanging out behind the bar at the lodge when Chance walked in. He was in full uniform, so I asked, "Is there a problem?"

He raised a brow. "I wanted to talk to you."

I tensed. This had to be about Scarlett. "Are you on break?"

Chance nodded. "I have a few minutes to talk."

"Want to take this to my office?"

Chance considered me for a few seconds. "That's a good idea."

I could have talked to him at the bar or even outside, but I wanted privacy for this conversation. I led the way to my office which was on the upper floor. It was a quiet space that got me away from the noise of the bars and restaurants.

I closed the door behind us. "I assume you want to talk about Scarlett."

Chance remained standing near the door.

To give myself time, I went to the small bar and poured a shot for myself, grabbing a water for him.

When I handed him the bottle, he asked, "You want to tell me why my sister was on top of you earlier today?"

I moved away from him, putting the desk between us.

"I asked you to look out for her. If that turned into something more, then you should have told me."

I sighed. "You're right. And I'm sorry. I didn't know this would happen. I didn't even see Scarlett this way until she camehome and we spent some time together. Obviously, she's a beautiful woman, and I was attracted to her. But it wasn't a good idea because of our friendship."

"Then why did you start something?" Chance asked.

"Scarlett thought it would be temporary, and there wouldn't be a need to tell you. She'd be gone, and it wouldn't have meant anything."

Chance set the water down on my desk without opening it. "So you're just fucking my sister?"

I held up a hand. "Whoa. It's not like that."

"What's it like?" Chance asked, barely restraining his anger.

I met his gaze. "I think I'm in love with your sister. I want her to stay, maybe move into my new house with me, and start a life together."

His eyes widened. "Are you fucking with me?"

I shook my head. "I suspected from the start that this thing with your sister was different. This was the only way I could find out, and I had to take the chance. But I know who she is, and she won't be happy living here. She's going to leave. It's just a matter of time." The pain in my chest felt a lot like heartburn, but I knew there was no medicine that could fix it.

---