He smiled enigmatically, his face as calm and serene as ever. Michael had been the one to find the right combination of organic compounds. He’d been the one to take Dr. McKenzie’s raw ideas and turn them into something viable, practical, and apparently, effective. Yet he was going to remain quietly in the shadows and let someone else take the credit?
“Seeing you healthy is all that matters to me, Lex. The fact that I won’t have to watch my brother destroy himself is a bonus.” He winked. “Though admittedly, I do have five others, and he is arguably the most irritating.”
Lexi was speechless. “I – I don’t know what to say.”
Ian squeezed her hand. “Make his day and tell him he doesn’t have to wear a tux at the wedding.”
*
The celebration that ensued was a memorable one. Though not yet officially open to the public, with quite a few well-placed phone calls and a natural deviance Lexi had been fostering for years, she reserved a special room at the new restaurant and managed to prepare a surprise feast in appreciation of her new family.
They all, of course, worried that she had done too much. And as they arrived, one by one, they proceeded to gang up on her. Lexi didn’t mind. By that point everything had been prepared and she could allow herself to sit and enjoy it with them.
The food was excellent. The atmosphere divine. But as Lexi looked around, there was nothing quite as wonderful as the family and friends with which she was now surrounded.
“You have outdone yourself, Lex,” said Aidan quietly afterward, sneaking up behind Lexi as she personally thanked each of the staff for helping her with her special surprise. Keeping the celebration from him had been one of the most difficult challenges, but she had managed. “However, if there are any more surprises, I think I might just have to fire you.”
She laughed. “Only one more, and I think it’s on its way out now.”
Aidan raised an eyebrow, just as he heard roaring laughter and cheers coming from the private room. Together they peeked through the window, and Aidan couldn’t help but laugh when he spotted the biggest plate of chocolate chip cookies he had ever seen being delivered to the table.
Thanks for reading Ian and Lexi’s story
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Abbie
About the Author
Abbie Zanders loves to read and write romance in all forms; she is quite obsessive, really. Her ultimate fantasy is to spend all of her free time doing both, preferably in a secluded mountain cabin overlooking a pristine lake, though a private beach on a lush tropical island works, too. Sharing her work with others of similar mind is a dream come true. She promises her readers two things: no cliffhangers, and there will always be a happy ending. Beyond that, you never know...
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Abbie Zanders's books
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