Page 18 of Wild Promises

"That's believable," she murmured.

"Then we'll have more opportunities to spend time together and fall in love." This plan was quickly spiraling out of control. I wasn't sure that I was even in the driver's seat anymore. It was like the story wrote itself, and I already knew the ending. The stand-in hero ends up with a broken heart while the heroine moves on to the real one.

"That does sound like a movie. But where does the comedy come in?" Tori leaned her hands on the rock, looking more relaxed than I'd seen her since she met me at the picnic table.

"I'm the one who's going to be a fumbling idiot in this relationship. I'll make lots of mistakes." I wasn't even sure I knew how to be in a relationship. I'd never lived with anyone.

"Maybe your character watches romance movies and tries to replicate what the heroes do, but it never works," Tori teased.

"Yeah, something like that." I couldn't be the man for her. No one would really believe it. But for her sake, I hoped I played the part well enough for her father to reconsider selling the practice.

Tori climbed off the rock, brushing the snow off her pants. "Show me the rest of the trail."

I led the way back to the regular path, easily gliding through the snow. The lights I'd added to the path were pretty, an idea I'd probably gotten from one of the many holiday movies that were shown on TV this time of the year. I just hoped it didn't get back to my brothers that I watched sappy romance movies in my spare time. I'd never hear the end of it.

I wasn't the ladies' man I made myself out to be. I let everyone assume I was taking all these women home because it was easy and expected. But in reality, I treated women with respect and tried to meet someone who could be the one. I wanted to settle down and get married one day. I just worried I wouldn't find anyone who'd ever measure up to Tori.

I couldn't replace a best friend, and maybe that's where I'd gone wrong from the beginning. I kept searching for someone who could be a friend first, and it never worked out.

We were the only ones on this path this late at night, and it was peaceful as we meandered through the woods at a leisurely pace. I'd always felt close to nature when I was out here like this, but sharing it with Tori was even better.

When we finally made it to the bottom, Tori yawned.

"I'd ask if you wanted to go again but?—"

Tori shook her head. "I'm not as young as I used to be, and working all week has been exhausting, even if it was fulfilling."

"You're happy working with your dad?"

"It's everything I've ever wanted. I can have relationships with patients and get to know them on another level. I'm really excited for the possibilities." Then her face fell.

She was probably worried about the implications of her father selling the practice.

"If he sells, the new doctor might not hire me on. I'd have to find another job.”

I rested a hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry about what hasn't happened yet. Besides, we have a whole plan we need to implement."

She smiled. "When do you want me to move in?"

"I'll clear my junk out of the spare room. Then you can move in."

"My things are scheduled to arrive on Sunday."

"That's plenty of time."

"You'll help me move in? If so, I'll tell the trucks to go to your place." Then she frowned. "Wait. Where do you live?"

"I have an apartment over a shop. It's not much, and I'm thinking it might be better if I bought something.” That would show my brothers I was committed to something. I pulled the address up online so I could show her the street view.

"That's nice."

"It's a deli, but they also sell fresh donuts in the morning. They're amazing, and I'm going to get fat because of them."

"If you're thinking about buying a place, should I wait to move in?"

I shook my head. I was excited to have her with me. "You can help me find the perfect place."

Tori sighed. "This is all moving so fast."

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