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“Why?” Tori asked.
Chelsea laughed. “Because Xander swore me to secrecy years ago when I figured out that he had a thing for you. There have been so many times that I wanted to tell you. So many times that I told him to just go for it.”
Tori looked up at him. His eyes shone as he nodded. “It’s true. But back then it felt like I was too old for you. And then … then you were off living your life.”
Her heart raced at the thought of him having liked her that way all this time. It’d taken her long enough to get her head around the idea that he found her attractive when he came to Nashville – she’d thought that it was because she’d grown up since they’d last spent any time together.
She curled her arm around his waist, not knowing what to say – especially not with everyone standing around watching them.
Slade put his hand on her shoulder and nodded. “It’s true. I couldn’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard him talk about you over the years.”
Xander shrugged. “I’m not going to deny it. And besides, I had to listen to you talk about Willow the same way.”
Tori watched her sister roll up onto her tiptoes and kiss Slade. She snuggled closer into Xander’s side and tightened her arm around his waist. He dropped a kiss on the top of her head, sending a rush of warmth through her. He understood her. Willow might not think twice about kissing her man in front of everyone – and maybe Tori would feel the same after a while – but for now, she was much more comfortable with the way he showed his affection.
He kept his arm tight around her as the conversation flowed on. She listened, but didn’t feel the need to join in. There were so many big personalities in their group – and most of them had a lot to say. She didn’t think of herself as shy, but she was more of a listener than a talker.
~ ~ ~
Xander rested his chin on top of Tori’s head as he swayed with her to the music. The evening had turned out to be a big success. Some of their friends had been surprised – others, not so much. But they’d all been happy for them. Tori had seemed a little nervous at first, but she’d gotten over it quickly.
It had been a good time. He enjoyed hanging out with these guys. Life here in Napa was very different from what he’d been used to in the Navy. He liked it. But …
Tori’s arms tightened around his waist, and she looked up into his eyes. “Are you okay?”
He pressed a quick kiss to her lips. He’d been careful all night not to go overboard, he knew she wasn’t comfortable with it. “I’m good.” He winked at her. “How could I not be? I’ve got my girl out on the dance floor at the end of the night. We shared our news, and everyone’s happy for us.”
“I know, but you went all tense just then – like you thought of something.”
He spun her around, loving the way she clung to him as she laughed. “You’re far too perceptive, sprite. I did think of something, but it wasn’t anything bad.”
“What then?”
He knew that she’d worry if he didn’t explain – and it was something they were going to need to talk about anyway.
“I was thinking that life’s different here.”
“In Napa?”
“Yeah.”
She blew out a sigh. “I know. It’s lovely to see everyone but …” She tensed in his arms. “Are you glad to be back?”
“I am but …”
She watched him closely and he knew what she was thinking. “You’re not comfortable here, are you?”
She shook her head slowly. “I’m not.”
“What do you see as your options?”
She gave him a puzzled look and he knew that he should just come out and tell her what he was thinking.
“You’ve talked about having nothing to go back to Nashville for, other than your house. If there’s nothing for you there, and you’re not comfortable here, what are you thinking?”
She shrugged. “That’s the trouble. I don’t know. I mean …” She looked away before turning back to him with a determined look on her face. “If you’re going to stay here, then I’ll stick around for a while.”
He raised his eyebrows.
