Page 88 of Wild Promises

"How is this real?"

"All I know is that I'm grateful for that silly pact you insisted on us making when we were teens. It prompted our fake relationship and everything that came after."

"I am too."

I kissed her like I'd just come home from war. It felt like I hadn't seen her in a long time. I knew that things would be different now that we were both being honest about our feelings.

"What about that girl? Is she really Walker's daughter?"

"I don't know, but we're going to find out. One thing I know for sure is that if she is a Wilde, she's got all of us at her back. We'll get through this together."

"She's going to need every one of you in her corner."

"You're included in this. You're a part of my family now too."

"Who knew that our promise to each other at seventeen would lead to this?" Tori asked me.

"I always hoped it would."

I'd never been more grateful that I entered into that promise with Tori.

EPILOGUE

XANDER

Eli scheduled a meeting for first thing on Monday morning after Thanksgiving. I was nervous because I suspected this had something to do with my performance at the resort. I didn’t think I’d done anything to warrant being let go, but what if I hadn’t done enough to prove myself?

I stood at the sink, shaving, my attention split between the upcoming meeting and Tori who’d just walked into the bathroom. I rested my hand on the lip of the sink as she slipped her arms around my waist.

“Don’t worry about it. Everything’s going to work out.”

“And what if it doesn’t?” Her dad had only recently decided to include her in the sale of the practice. He was selling a percentage of it, and he would retain his portion until she could pay him in installments. It allowed him to continue practicing in whatever capacity he wanted to for a few more years. It was the perfect arrangement. But what if things didn’t work out for me?

“If your brothers don’t see what they have, then we’ll figure something out. I’m positive there’s someone else out there that would appreciate your talent.”

I covered her hands with mine. “I love that you support me.”

“We support each other.” Then she pulled back, turning on the water in the shower.

I wished I had time to join her in the shower, but I was running late. I finished shaving, then called out to her. “I’m going to get dressed and head out.”

“Good luck, and don’t forget that no matter what happens, we’ve got this.” Her voice was a balm to my soul.

“Love you,” I said to her, my heart full.

“Love you more, Xander.” Her voice followed me into the bedroom where I pulled on my work uniform of fleece, hoping I’d hear good news this morning. Then I got into my truck and drove to the lodge.

Despite Tori’s pep talk, my stomach was in knots as I walked through the lobby, calling out greetings to everyone and stopping briefly to chat with Marcus about his plans for dinner. Checking the time, I excused myself and hurried to the conference room where Eli preferred to hold official meetings.

Oliver and Eli were already seated at the table, their laptops open in front of them.

“Good morning,” I said, my voice only slightly wavering. I could do something else, but this was what I wanted. I enjoyed working with my brothers and continuing the legacy my parents had built.

“Morning,” Eli and Oliver parroted.

“You wanted to talk to me?” This wasn’t just about business. I’d been summoned.

“We wanted to talk to you about your progress,” Eli said, and Oliver nodded.

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