Dare to Stay (Dare Nation 4)

She took the subject change as a good sign. “I’m not sure. Bella may go to her sister’s and she invited me, but she lives a couple of hours away…” She trailed off and shrugged. “I’m not sure. I think I’d rather stay close and do my own thing.”

“In other words, spend the holiday alone?” His frown told her what he thought of that idea.

“I’m used to it. Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s been a long day and I’m tired. I’d like to go home.”

He nodded. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

She opened her mouth to argue and he shook his head.

Fine, he could escort her out. She hoped this wasn’t the beginning of having him around her constantly, because despite the warnings that came with Braden Prescott, he was extremely hard to resist.

Chapter Five

If Willow thought Braden would let her spend Thanksgiving alone, she had another thing coming. Despite her intention to hole up in her apartment, he had a plan. One he wouldn’t tell her ahead of time or she’d find a way to avoid being home when he rang her doorbell.

In the two weeks leading up to the holiday, he made sure to work closely with her when he could, bring lunch to her, join her in her office to eat and make small talk, and just get to know her again.

In between, he worked at the health center, getting to know the regulars and meeting the patients as they came in for either emergency or regular medical care. To his dismay, Aurora didn’t show up again, which both upset him and had him worrying about her and her baby. He hadn’t had a chance to check out where she worked and the place she called home, but it was on his agenda for tomorrow morning before he went to his mom’s for holiday dinner.

That night, he and Hudson walked to their cars. They had one day off tomorrow before game weekend prep began. Most players would come in the morning to train and exercise, regardless of the holiday, which meant some physicians and trainers would be on duty, but he and Hudson were off. So, he knew, was Willow. He’d made it his business to check schedules.

“What time should I come to your house tomorrow?” Hudson asked as they strode through the facility.

“I’m going to the clinic before I head over for dinner. I hope to get there around four,” he said. “I think the rest of the family will show up any time from two o’clock on. Mom has food out all day. So basically it’s up to you.”

“Did you ask Willow what she’s doing for the holiday?” Hudson pulled open the door leading to the parking lot, and they stepped outside into the warm air.

Braden nodded. “I did. She said she’s going to be home alone, and I plan on changing up her plans. I just haven’t mentioned it to her.”

Hudson chuckled. “I don’t know if you’re brave or stupid.”

“Probably a little of both but what’s that expression? No pain no gain? She needs some prodding out of her safe little world. There’s no other way I can prove she can trust me again.”

He didn’t just intend to bring her to his mom’s house for dinner and not take no for an answer but he had a way to convince that she couldn’t turn down.

He glanced at his friend. “What about you? Anyone you want to bring over for dinner? I know Mom wouldn’t mind.”

“No, thanks. You have enough siblings for me to hang out with. So you’re bringing Willow. Is Bri coming with a date?” Hudson asked as they reached their cars, parked near each other.

“Not that I know of.” He hit the button on his key fob and his car locks opened. “Why?”

Hudson shrugged. “You’re all paired off. Just wondered if I was going to be lone man there.”

“As far as I know, Bri’s single. Though she keeps her dating life pretty private. At least from her brothers.”

Hudson grinned. “Can’t say I blame her on that score. Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you.” Braden climbed into his car and started the engine, planning his day tomorrow carefully in his mind.

He had two women on his mind. One needed him professionally, the other he needed personally, but the irony was he thought Willow could help with Aurora and encourage her to come back to the clinic. They had foster care in common, and maybe Willow could use her past to bond with the pregnant woman and encourage her to trust Braden.

Not to mention it gave him an excuse to visit her on Thanksgiving Day, to get her to spend the morning with him, talking to a patient, and end up at his mom’s house for holiday dinner. Willow might be able to resist him, but she wouldn’t be able to turn her back on someone in need. The fact that he benefitted from the entire scenario was a bonus. One he planned to use shamelessly to his advantage.