Page 26 of Wild Promises

Oliver stopped by the end of our table, surprising both of us. "Xander." He looked from me to Tori. "What are you doing here?"

I leaned back, not realizing how close I'd gotten to Tori during our conversation.

I waved a hand at the empty pizza tray. "Having dinner."

Carolina and Joey were slower to join him, his hand in hers. I loved that Carolina had such a great relationship with Joey. He deserved to have a mother figure in his life.

The waitress said, "Excuse me," and dropped off the bill in front of Tori, who grabbed her credit card and wrote out the tip.

He raised a brow and tipped his head toward the bill.

"She insisted on paying," I mumbled. Would I always look like an irresponsible jerk in front of my brothers? Was that just the reality of being the younger brother?

Tori smiled. "He's letting me live with him so it was the least I could do."

My stomach dropped because I hadn't told my brothers yet. I was a little worried about what they'd say.

"I didn't realize you were moving in together," Oliver said.

Joey had just reached the end of my booth, and his eyes lit up when he saw me. He let go of Carolina's hand and climbed into the booth next to me.

On his knees, he stretched his arms out. "Hug?"

"Of course." I could never resist this little guy's hugs. They were the best.

He wrapped his arms around my neck and squeezed tight.

I caught Tori's gaze across the table. Her expression was soft. I squeezed Joey one last time before he pulled away.

"Can we eat? I'm hungry."

Carolina held her hand out for him. "Come on. It was nice to see you, Xander."

"Always a pleasure, Carolina," I said to her, meaning it. I loved her for my brother. He needed someone like her in his life. I thought he was lonely before, trying to do the single parenting thing on his own. Now he was quick to ask for help, especially since his favorite sitter was away at college.

"Caro—this is Xander's friend, Tori. She just moved back to Telluride."

Carolina leaned over the table to shake Tori's hand. "It's nice to meet you."

"You as well."

Carolina touched Oliver's arm, and he looked down at her with an expression so full of love, my heart contracted. "We're going to sit down and order. Take your time."

Oliver dipped his head. "Be right there."

Carolina and Joey walked away. Then Oliver turned his attention to me. "I didn't realize you needed a roommate."

I shifted on the cushioned booth. "Tori wanted to get out of her parents' house, and I have an extra room."

"I see." But it was clear that he didn't.

"Xander was kind enough to offer me a room. But he's house hunting."

Oliver's eyes widened as his gaze swung from Tori to me. "You are?"

"I think it's time I got a place of my own. I could use the extra space." Oliver bought a house in town years ago for Joey, and Eli recently build the house on our property to live in with Scarlett. Everyone had a place, and the apartment felt a little too bachelor for me.

"I thought you liked being able to walk to the bars."

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