Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

+25 BONUS Chapter

696

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.

chimed in. "He really does look like Hayden. So, what

it down too fast, or Wayne would get suspicious. So, I kept it casual with a small smile. "No

fancy with his

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

I said, popping open the container. "They didn't taste like

mentioned, were slider buns and a cup

was top-notch. Just looking at it was enough

remarked, sounding oddly impressed. "With cooking like this, he

everything. You've gotta taste it, too," I said, leaning into the double meaning as I handed

didn't budge. "It's meant

all this solo." I smiled and held the utensils out

didn't actually eat. Whatever. I grabbed my own utensils

you didn't eat meatballs," Wayne

bite. As the flavor hit, I froze. The rich, saucy meatball tasted exactly like

my hands trembling slightly. How could Xander possibly nail this? Unless... he was

for us, which meant he would've learned all our little traditions-including my