Page 8 of Consuming Logan

“Oh, Logan.” Susan gave his elbow a polite squeeze. “The board was just informed,” she paused, swallowing back obvious excitement.

Logan froze wondering if he’d been selected for the position already.

“Yes,” he prompted.

“Dr. Masters,” called a voice from those gathered, drawing his attention.

Searching the crowd, Logan spotted Monique Faulkner, her signature rope braids hanging over her scarred arm. Logan’s wound care research had saved the limb. And Monique’s willingness to share her journey of six surgical procedures under his blade had earned him international prestige and her the title of bionic girl. He signaled for the crowd to part, allowing her forward.

“You should be studying for semester finals.”

The snap of cell phone cameras could be heard as several staff members memorialized his patient’s unscripted elation. Thanks to Monique’s insistence, a competent but shy RN Ava Walters had been convinced to work on his clinical team. Where his direct pursuit had failed, Monique’s request had been successful in keeping Ava at his side.

Reaching him, she threw her right arm around his waist, giving him a bear hug. “I know.”

Drawing back, she said, “I had to be here for your big day,” her voice, high and full of youthful excitement.

Logan frowned, truly perplexed by the crowd. “I need details,” he rasped, not sure what else to say.

“He doesn’t know,” Susan chimed in.

“You’re keeping something from me?” Logan hated secrets, especially if women were involved. Brooke’s secret had devastated their relationship and his best friend. Hell, her lies had nearly destroyed him.

“Your research,” Monique grinned up at him, her casted left arm making a “dah” motion.

Susan rushed to explain. “The foundation received notice that Tyson Adventis has established a thirty-five-million-dollar endowment fund to support your future research. Isn’t that wonderful?” She exclaimed, bouncing on her feet.

Logan’s heart paused, and then skipped a beat. This was a huge deal. Tyson O’Connor and his brother, Maximus, owned the medical supply company that funded Logan’s pediatric wound care research. The same research that helped to save Monique’s left arm following the complex fracture from an abusive boyfriend.

Susan gripped both his hands, and then she seemed to have made a decision. She pulled him in for a motherly hug.

“I’m so proud of you,” she squeezed.

A fully funded research grant supported by renewing endowment could catapult his work and SCMC a decade ahead of larger medical research programs.

“Thank you,” Logan stammered, struggling to wrap his head around the unbelievable news. “Nothing screams I support you louder than a check with trailing zeroes.” Now, he had thirty-five million reasons to stick with his career progression plan. With his marriage to Ava, Logan’s contribution as the firstborn son to theMasterslegacy would be complete.

“Your father actually shouted on the tee box when I telephoned him with the news,” Susan beamed.

Hmm, it surprised Logan that Susan had contacted Robert Lee Masters. Of course, with Rebecca Lynn’s marriage to Darwin the two families were connected. Talk continued around Logan while he imagined all the children he would help because of this generous donation.

“Congratulations, Dr. Masters. I’m so happy for you and Ava.” Monique’s eyes closed on a made-for-Disney sigh. “She’s so happy to be back home,” she rasped out. “She calls you Doctor Amazing. Did you know that?”

“Did I hear my name?”

Logan released his patient and spun on his heel. His heart smiled before his face split into a grin. Ava stood in the glass atrium, the sun highlighting the red in her flowing ringlets. She wore a fitted V-neck mini dress in forest green with pink open-toe heels. The diamond heart necklace he’d given her during their first year together sparkled against her skin. His gaze slid over the gentle curve of her shoulders, the swell of her breasts, the taper of her waist, before drinking in her golden legs. Hmm, she looked tasty and his body heated in anticipation of feasting on her. A colleague brushed by jostling him from his reverie. He forced his eyes upward lingering on Ava’s now taut buds before meeting her knowing eyes.

“Sweetheart,” he recovered. In years past, this open exchange of sexual awareness between them would have been awkward. Logan mentally patted himself on the back for slaying that cock-blocking demon.

“Hey, babe,” Ava winked. “Keep your eyes in PG-13 country.”

“You know that’s impossible with you in that tight ass dress.” Logan could try, but his thoughts were purely X-rated.

Someone cleared their throat, drawing his attention. Tyson O’Connor, the CEO of Tyson Adventis looked on from his position beside Ava, red creeping up his neck. Surprise assailed Logan. He looked from the Irishman to Ava. Had they arrived together?

“Ava,” Monique shouted, dashing around Logan.

“Hello, beautiful girl.” Ava wrapped Monique in a big hug.