Page 85 of Wild Love

Marigold nodded as if I was dense. "He should have talked to you about it. But you have to admit it’s a thoughtful thing to do."

My gaze narrowed on her. "He was trying to manipulate me into staying."

Marigold gestured wildly with her hands. "Is that why he did it? Or was it to create a space for our play? You have to admit it was nice to have the rehearsal space, and he ordered our costumes and helped build the sets."

I frowned. "I thought he said he called in a favor for that."

"He called in a favor to help you."

There was an accusation in her eyes. "Whose side are you on?"

Marigold sighed, her shoulders lowering. "Yours. I'm always on yours."

"It doesn't feel like it." I went back to scooping beans, having forgotten how many I'd already added. The coffee wouldn't taste good, but then nothing felt right at this point. My whole world had been tossed on its end.

Marigold tugged on my hand. "What's going through your head?"

I let her pull me away from the machine. "He went behind my back and bought the theater. Then he lied about it by omission. I feel betrayed."

"Okay. That's fair. But now that you've had a chance to think about it, have you changed your mind about his motivations?"

I pressed my lips into a straight line. "He wants to get me to stay in Telluride like everyone else. I trusted him."

Marigold let go of my arm and took a step back. "We all want you to stay. Your parents. Chance. Me. And now Eli. Is that so bad?"

"You know I've always worked elsewhere. I need to travel." It didn't hold the same appeal it once had though.

"I thought you enjoyed teaching."

"I did." I chewed on my bottom lip.

"But you don't see yourself doing it long-term?"

The idea of owning my own theater was attractive. But Eli owned this one. "I work for free. That's not really sustainable long-term."

"I'm sure you could have worked out something with Eli."

"It doesn't feel right. My boyfriend shouldn't be my boss. I feel manipulated into this situation. I don't even know what I want anymore." I threw my hands up in the air.

"I guess you need to figure it out."

"Great. Now you're mad at me too." I gave up on getting coffee anytime soon and leaned against the counter.

"I get that you feel blindsided, but I don't think Eli was trying to hurt you."

"I don't know what to believe anymore."

"There was an interest in the classes, and we didn't have anyone who could teach it but you. I thought you might like it. That it might be good for you. Are you really happy traveling all over the place? Never putting down roots?"

"I thought I was."

Marigold sighed. "You need to figure things out. I'm going to leave you alone."

I walked her to the door, unsure of what was happening. Marigold never got mad at anyone, but she seemed frustrated with me.

She paused at the door. "You need to figure out what you want. Because those of us left behind are affected by you coming and going. And I don't think I can do it anymore."

My heart stilled. "I don't understand. We've always been friends."

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