Epilogue

 

It’s been a month since Adam Sinclair and Lexi Hayes started seeing each other exclusively. Adam, unable to stay away from her for long periods of time, has hired Lexi back, and she’s more than willing to resume her position as personal assistant to him. Lexi knows of Adam’s lifestyle – Michelin-star dinners, exotic business trips, and billion-dollar ventures. She’s still trying to get used to the red carpet events, luxury transportation jets and cars, and designer couture. She thinks she’s never really going to get used to them, and she doesn’t really see the novelty in them. She still prefers to take the subway over a private car – the time spent lets her think and enjoy the city, but Adam loves spoiling her, and he has no plans of stopping.

 

The Holiday season is fast approaching, and this means the advent of parties and banquets. Tonight, there’s a benefit dinner to raise funds for the development of a public hospital in the outskirts of the city, and Adam and Lexi are invited.

 

“You look beautiful,” Adam says, the edge of his lips slowly tipping up, and Lexi knows she won’t tire of his smile. “You’re the most beautiful woman.”

 

Lexi can’t help but blush at the compliment. It’s something she’ll never get used to – his gushing. She feels like he puts her on a pedestal with the way he talks about her, and it nerves her. She knows she’s not the most gorgeous person on the planet, but she also knows Adam’s being genuine. She brushes the thought away – it’s her insecurity speaking – and smiles back at her boyfriend.

 

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” she says, hooking her arm around his.

 

The drive to the gala is a short one, fifteen minutes tops, and during the car ride, Adam talks to Lexi about what to expect during the event. She nods her head absent-mindedly at the names Adam’s rattling off. There are a few familiar names. That is until Adam tells Lexi his parents are attending as well, and that catches her attention.

 

“Adam…” she says, voice tightening, and he knows she’s scared. “Your parents? What will I say?”

 

He chuckles lightly before he shakes his head then says, “You’ll be fine. Trust me.”

 

When the limousine comes to a halt, Lexi is tempted to stay inside. She has no idea what she’s going to say to his parents. What questions will they ask her? What will they think of her? When Adam reaches out for her hand, Lexi heaves a deep sigh and exits the car. She knows resisting will be futile.

 

“I can’t believe you’re feeding me to the sharks,” she teases, but her tone is anything but amused. “I hate you right now.”

 

“And I love you,” he says, leaving a quick peck on her forehead. “And they will to.”

 

As they walk across the red carpet, Adam has his arm around Lexi’s waist. She leans herself closer to him, and she feels a little less nervous with his presence. She knows Adam won’t leave her side, both figuratively and physically, and that calms her mind. As they exchange ‘hello’s and quick conversation with a few friends and acquaintances, Lexi manages a smile on her face. Anytime soon now she’ll be introduced to his parents.

 

“Right there,” Adam whispers against her ear. When she follows his line of vision, she sees a couple in their sixties talking to a few other people. There’s no questioning they’re Adam’s parents. They exude the same sense of authority and confidence Adam does.

 

As Adam’s hand stays on the small of Lexi’s back, he leads her closer to the small group. When they’re a short distance away, a woman Lexi presumes to be Adam’s mother breaks the conversation and opens her arms up to her son.

 

“It’s great to see you, mother…and father,” he says, hugging each of them before he goes back to Lexi’s side. “I’d like to introduce you to Lexi, my girlfriend.”

 

“Pleasure to meet you, my dear,” she says and then stretches her arm out for a handshake which Lexi accepts. Then, Adam’s father does the same, another handshake. Lexi finds it a little bit too formal, but at least they aren’t biting her head off. “How long have you two been together?”

 

“Around a month… if we’re being technical,” Adam says. “So will you and father be staying in the city for a while? We’d love to take you out to dinner tomorrow.”

 

Adam’s mother, Jordana Sinclair, tips her lips up into an ear-to-ear smile before she gushes and accepts.

 

“Definitely,” she says. “How about you two show us around town, and we can cap the day off with dinner?”

 

Adam nods his head while Lexi sends a small smile Jordana’s way. In the ten minutes they’ve known each other, Jordana and Adam’s father, Bill Sinclair, have been nothing but cordial to her. Still, Lexi doesn’t want to mess their first meeting up. She wants to make a good impression, and that she’s doing by keeping silent.

 

“Lex and I will pick you and father up in your hotel,” Adam begins, his hand still on Lexi’s back. “Then, we’ll just play it by ear tomorrow.”

 

“That sounds good…oh!” Jordana then says, taking a few steps forward. “We seem to be blocking the way. Anyway, it’s great to meet you Lexi,” she then says, sending the woman a smile. “I look forward to getting to know you better. See you tomorrow!”

 

“Likewise, Mrs. Sinclair.”

 

As they enter the grand ballroom, Adam keeps his hand at the small of Lexi’s back while Lexi leans further into him. That went well – meeting his parents, and Lexi’s actually looking forward to tomorrow. As they take their seats, Lexi and Adam look into one another’s eyes before they break contact at the same time. They’re both exactly where they want to be.