Page 81 of Wild Promises

I had plenty of money saved since I didn't spend much of it. My rent was low, and my truck was old. "I'd love to support her business."

"You Wilde boys are so sweet."

I leaned close and said, "Don't tell anyone. You'll ruin our reputation."

Tori's head flew back as she laughed.

Luke opened the sliding door. "I don't mean to rush you, but another couple is here to see the house. We should give them the space. You ready to see the next option?"

"I want to put an offer on this one." This was the right decision, the best next move. I'd secure the house, the job, and then the woman.

He raised a brow. "I thought you might. I showed you the property that checked all your boxes first."

"I appreciate that." I didn't want to waste a lot of time traipsing through houses I wasn't interested in. "This is the one."

"Great. I'll write up the contract and contact you to discuss offers."

We went inside and upstairs, nodding to the realtor who was waiting outside with the next couple.

We paused by Luke's SUV.

"You think there will be competition for it?" I asked.

Luke's brow furrowed. "There might be. We'll have to make a strong offer. I'd suggest offering the asking price plus a little extra to seal the deal."

"Let's do it," I said, knowing I'd pay any amount of money to secure my future.

"I'll send it over ASAP."

"Thanks, Luke. I appreciate it."

We headed to my truck, and once we were inside, Tori said, "I didn't realize you were going to make an offer today."

"Why wouldn't I? We both agreed this was the house." I was worried we'd lose out to another couple. I couldn't let that happen. I could see me and Tori living here, growing together, and filling it with little Wildes. The vision was so real, and vivid; I wouldn't let anyone take it from me.

I felt even better about my meddling with Tori's dad last night. If I got what I wanted in the end, it would be worth it. I was going after what I wanted from now on. No more sittingback and letting life happen to me. I'd create the life I wanted, and it was a future with Tori.

"I don't know. It's just happening so fast."

I reached across the console and curled my hand around hers. "When you know what you want, the next move is easy and obvious."

Her eyes sparkled with something. Was it regret? It was gone as quickly as it appeared. "Everything is falling into place for you."

"And it will for you too. I have to believe this is all going to work out. Everything we did was for a reason."

Tori cleared her throat and removed her hand from mine. "We'll both get what we want."

I grinned over at her, but her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. We're meant to have everything we want, and I wanted Tori, this house, and my job working alongside my brothers. My heart was so full; it was close to bursting. There was no way anything could go wrong. I'd made my plan, and it was all going to work out the way I wanted it to.

23

TORI

Xander's offer on the house was accepted, and he planned for a quick closing. The buyers had already moved out, and Xander didn't need to sell a house so there wouldn't be a hold-up. I was happy for him. But I felt a sense of loss because I wasn't sure I'd get to live in that house with him for long.

Dad could pick a buyer at any moment, and then the practice would change hands to someone whose first order of business was to let me go. Xander had been quiet about that side of our plan. I assumed he'd decided to let it play out like I had.

Everything on his end was working out in his favor. His brothers were pleased with his work and new ideas. He was moving into the house of his dreams. I couldn't regret our fake relationship, not if it meant that Xander got everything he wanted.

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