Page 85 of Wild Promises

24

XANDER

Iwas riding high from the success of the winter festival. Eli was already talking about making it something that occurred every Saturday in December, leading up to Christmas. That meant I was going to be busier than ever.

Killian was in town for Thanksgiving, so we were spending a lot of time together as a family. I hadn't seen Tori much, but then she'd been busy with some illness that was going through the schools.

I was afraid if we spent any time together, I'd blurt out my plans for her. I intended to propose to her at Thanksgiving dinner in front of my family and friends. That way, no one would question how I felt about her.

On Thanksgiving, we were in the kitchen preparing the meal when Eli asked, "How's Tori?"

"She's good."

"Why hasn't she been around much?" Oliver asked, placing the dinner rolls on a pan to slide into the oven.

We let our kitchen staff off on the holiday and prepared the meal ourselves. That didn't mean that Marcus didn't help us with a lot of the prep, but we finished the meal and served it, inviting our family, friends, guests, and community to join us.

"She was at the festival, and she'll be here tonight." She was eating lunch with her parents, and then joining us for dinner. "She's been busy at work." When Eli and Oliver didn't say anything, I asked, "Why do you ask?"

"You've been working a lot lately. I'm wondering if you're neglecting your relationship," Eli said carefully.

I frowned. "I thought you wanted me to be focused on work?"

"I do but not to the detriment of your health."

"I'm doing just fine. Besides, I intend to propose to her tonight."

Eli raised a brow. "You do?"

"Yeah, I thought it would make a statement to do it in front of family and friends."

"Are you sure that's what she wants?" Oliver asked.

"I want to show her how I feel, and this is the best way." Of course, if she said no, it would be embarrassing. But I had to do this for her to understand that my feelings were real.

"If you're sure it's what you both want," Eli said.

"Of course I'm sure," I said defensively, even though I wasn't sure at all. What mattered was that I was honest with her about my feelings. Then I'd do anything I could to show her how I truly felt. No more talk of fake relationships. This was real for me, and if it wasn't for her, then it was better to know that now.

"We support you," Oliver said.

Killian walked in, his cheeks flushed from the cold. He was probably snowboarding. "Who are we supporting?"

"Xander is proposing to Tori today at dinner."

Killian's forehead creased. "How long have I been gone that my womanizer brother is getting married?"

I grimaced. "I'm not a womanizer. I'm serious about Tori."

He slapped my shoulder. "I didn't mean anything by it. It was a joke."

Eli shook his head. "We're supporting his decision to settle down with Tori."

"Yeah, okay. When is dinner served?" Killian wasn't interested in our day-to-day lives. He was living in his own world where he trained and competed. He couldn't possibly understand what I'd gone through the last several months. How much I'd evolved and changed.

I just hoped he didn't ruin anything at dinner or make some crack about me not being serious about Tori. I was sick of that attitude.

We finished cooking, then carried the serving trays out to the dining room. Tonight, we'd eat buffet style. But before we got started, I wanted to handle the proposal. I figured I shouldn't wait. I was already nervous.

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