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Slade grinned back at him. “I bet I know what you’re thinking. She still has her place in Nashville, right? She must need to go and check on it at some point soon.”
“Exactly. And since she hasn’t been back there since the whole stalker deal, it would make sense for me to go with her – to keep an eye on her.”
“Sounds like you know your next move, then.”
“Yep.” He planned to call Tori as soon as he got back to the house to see if she liked the idea.
“Just for a visit though, right? You can come back and announce that you guys are together. Then you’ll be comfortable with each other, and no one will have anything to say about where you spend your nights. They’ll expect you to spend them together.”
Xander nodded slowly. “I think just for a visit. But she doesn’t love being here – and you know I never have.”
Slade scowled. “I know you didn’t used to, but everything’s different now. Everyone’s coming home and …”
Xander leaned out through the window and punched his shoulder. “Don’t look like that. I told you I didn’t plan to come back to stay.”
“I know, but I was kind of hoping.”
Xander shrugged. “It’s not a definite no. But Tori’s more comfortable in Nashville than she is here. If she decides to stay, I will, too.”
He met his old friend’s gaze. “And to be honest, even if she doesn’t want to stay there, I think we’d both be happier starting fresh somewhere else. I know you said that everyone’s coming home but … some of us need to go out in the world and find a new home.”
“I know. Sorry. I just … I liked the idea of having you back for good.”
Xander grinned when a thought struck him. “It’s not like I’m going to disappear never to be heard from again. When you think about it – if I get my way, you might be stuck with me for life.”
“How, if you don’t live here?”
“They’re sisters. Willow’s already wearing your ring.”
Slade grinned. “You’re that serious about her?”
“I sure am.”
They both turned when the beam of a flashlight illuminated the driveway.
“Are you okay?” Willow shouted.
“I’m fine. Sorry I took so long.”
Xander leaned out the window and called to her, “Sorry. It’s me. I held him up.”
“No problem.” Willow jogged to meet them, and Scooter jumped around excitedly when she reached them. “I was getting worried,” she told Slade. “I didn’t think you’d be long, and you don’t have your phone.” She chuckled and rolled her eyes at Xander. “I’m not out here keeping tabs on him – I’m here to put my overactive imagination to rest. I had all these horrible ideas about you have having fallen or had a heart attack or … I don’t know.”
Slade wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I’m fine. I just got to talking.”
She laughed. “And I can leave you to it.” She reached for the leash. “I’ll take Scooter home and you guys can hang out if you like.”
Slade kept hold of the leash and shook his head. “Nope. We’re done here.” He glanced back at Xander. “For now. Xander’s on his way home and I’m coming back with you.”
Willow met Xander’s gaze. “Have you gotten anywhere with Tori yet?”
He let out a short laugh. She’d never been one to mince words.
He nodded slowly.
“Yes!” He had to laugh when she punched the air. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to interrogate you – or her. I should warn you that she might run scared if she thinks that everyone knows about the two of you and that they’ll have an opinion on the matter.”
He nodded – she knew her sister well. “Yeah. I’m going to see if she wants to go check on her house in Nashville for a few days.”
