Page 50 of Wild Promises

"Oh. Well. Yes." That is what we talked about, but I wasn't prepared for the official feel of it.

"I think that's great. You're putting down roots here in Telluride," Dad boomed.

I smiled. "I said I wanted to move back home and build a life here."

Xander rested a hand on my shoulder. "We're going to grab lunch, then discuss realtors. You have any recommendations?"

"Oh! Let me give you mine. He was so helpful when we bought our first house." Lizzy dug in her purse for a business card and handed it to Xander. "There you go."

"Good luck with your house hunt," Dad said as he moved away, probably headed toward the break room for lunch.

I looped my hand through Xander's elbow as we walked out of the office. I felt everyone's eyes on our backs as we left. When we stepped outside into the bright sunshine, I asked, "What was that about? You didn't tell me you were going to talk to my dad."

"I can't date you and not tell your father. We've been friends for years and always denied that there was anything more between us. Now that there is, it only makes sense to explain it to him. Don't you think he deserves to hear it from me?"

I opened my mouth, then closed it, my brain scrambled. This felt so real. "I guess so. What did he say?"

"He's happy for us. Said your mother always thought there was something there."

"Dad's happy I'm staying in town, but will it be enough?" I chewed my lip as we turned right down the sidewalk.

"We'll have to be convincing." Xander's free hand covered mine that was still curled around his elbow. "Then we'll continue to be seen around town, holding hands and occasionally kissing."

"We haven't kissed yet," I couldn't stop myself from saying.

Xander's lips quirked up. "We'll have to rectify that."

No touchy-feely stuff had happened since the night I was drunk. Was it truly because I'd lost my inhibitions? A part of me hoped that would open the gates for more.

He opened the door to a small Italian restaurant that served sandwiches, pizzas, and soup for lunch. We sat at a booth, tucked in the corner next to the fireplace. Twinkling lights hung from the ceiling, reminding me that the holidays were quickly approaching. That meant more sicknesses at work, and everyone was busier in general.

We ordered, then set aside our menus.

"Are you ready for this? I think we should be seen in public as much as possible. Then we have the ball."

"That's the ultimate test. We have to prove to both of our families that we're the real deal." I drew in a shaky breath. I wasn't so sure I would survive a formal affair. Xander would look killer in a tux, and for one night, everyone would know he was mine.

Xander nodded, looking around the restaurant. "Hopefully, it makes an impact before your father makes his decision on these buyers."

"One is coming this afternoon. He's in his early thirties and worked for a general practice a few towns over. On paper, he's perfect. We'll see how he is in person. Rapport is so important in a small-town practice. My dad gets stopped whenever he goes out and gets updates on conditions. He's always loved it." But I had a feeling all the candidates would have that. Why else would they be working in this field?

"We should practice kissing this week in private, so that when we get in public, it will look like we've been doing it forever."

My cheeks heated at his innuendo: doing it forever.

Xander leaned forward, effectively sucking all the air out of my lungs. "If you can't handle talking about kissing, how are we going to do it?"

What was it with him and his sexual innuendos? Was he doing it on purpose to drive me crazy? "I handled the incident in the tub just fine the other night, didn't I?"

Xander raised a brow. "I wouldn't call it in an incident. That implies it was an accident."

I raised a brow. "Wasn't it though?"

"Maybe for you, but it was very intentional for me."

What the hell did that mean? He intended to touch me that night? He wanted to get me naked in the tub? Before I could ask, our food arrived, and the rumble of my stomach was too insistent to ignore. We dug in, eating without doing much talking, and when we were done, I said, "I have to get back. The buyer will be there soon."

Xander threw enough bills to cover the meal on the table, plus a generous tip. Then he stood and held his hand out to me. When I hesitated, he continued, "You're my girl, remember?"

---