Page 27 of Wild Promises

That was the story I told everyone, even if it wasn't exactly true. "The apartment was nice, but now I'd like some property. I want to get a dog."

Both Tori and Oliver raised their brows.

"You're getting a dog?" Tori asked.

"I need a yard for that." Especially if Tori was living with me. I wanted her to have the best, and my apartment was spartan. It was okay for my needs the last few years, but it wasn't doing anything to show that I was maturing.

Oliver nodded. "I'm surprised."

"Why would you be? You own a house, and Eli just built one. Even Killian owns a condo where he trains. Why would it be so shocking that I want a place of my own?" I was starting to get a little annoyed with my brothers' perceptions of me. They'd put me in a box, and if I did anything outside of it, they were shocked.

Oliver held up a hand. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply it wasn't the right next step for you."

I laughed without any humor. "I'm going to do what's right for me, whether that's allowing Tori to live with me, buying a house, or adopting a puppy."

Across the table, Tori mouthed, "Adopting?"

She held her hands together as if it was the most adorable thing she'd ever heard of.

It was weird that revealing my true self was attractive to the people around me. I thought for years I had to be this other guy.

"You should."

"Great. Glad we got that settled." I stood, waiting for Tori to gather her things. "We'll let you get back to dinner with Carolina and Joey. See you around."

I grabbed Tori's jacket and held it for her while she put her arms in the sleeves.

"You two have a good night." Oliver inclined his head slightly toward Tori before he moved away.

Tori curled her hand around my elbow. "It was nice to see him."

"He's a great dad. Joey's mother isn't that involved, and I think Oliver would prefer it if she exited stage left completely."

Tori grimaced. "Yikes. That's rough."

"Whenever Tina's around, she makes it all about her."

"I can't imagine not wanting to raise my child."

A couple was coming in as we exited, and the gentlemen held the door for us. I nodded my thanks as we passed.

Tori squeezed my arm as we stepped into the cold. "You're sweet with Joey."

"He's my only nephew. I love him."

"That's obvious. Are you really considering adopting a dog?"

"I've always wanted one. My parents thought we'd lose one on the property growing up. We probably would have."

"But now you can have whatever you want."

That wasn't exactly true, but then again, she didn't know how much I wanted her. "Something like that. It's time to get a place of my own and fill it with what I want."

"I think you'll love owning a house. I'm so tired of living in small apartments. New York is short on space. And your place will have land and views of the mountains."

"If I'm lucky." And mornings across the kitchen table with my beautiful friend.

Tori grinned. "I'll help you find the perfect house."

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