Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

+25 BONUS Chapter

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Xander got some serious guts. He knew Wayne had been after me, yet he still stepped up like it was nothing. Bold move, honestly-I didn't see that coming from him.

But with Demi possibly hanging around DracoLux, I had to prioritize that. "Sorry, I've

told him.

Sot other plans tonight," I

Xander? Totally unbothered. "Alright. If you need anything just let me know." Then he left without a fuss.

At the elevator, someone called him "Mr. Hart" again. He just nodded, cool as ever

gave me a polite nod and

not correcting them.

look like

too fast, or Wayne would get suspicious. So, I

get all fancy

benefit. If he thought Xander was stepping into Hayden's shoes, he might snap, and I couldn't have that-yet. At the same time, I needed Wayne to think

said,

Xander mentioned, were slider buns and

credit where it's due-his cooking was top-notch. Just looking at it was enough

like a serious side hustle," Wayne remarked, sounding oddly impressed. "With cooking like this, he could run his own

gotta taste it, too," I said, leaning into the double meaning as I handed him a set of utensils. "Here,

budge. "It's

all this solo." I smiled and held the utensils

finally took them, though he didn't actually eat. Whatever. I

didn't eat meatballs," Wayne

the flavor hit,

slightly. How could Xander

dad worked for us, which meant he would've learned all our