Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Was Brandon captivated by my beauty?

I'd always thought his heart was as tough as his exterior, immune to such charms. But it seemed the old saying about men had some truth after all.

Even though I knew I had Brandon's attention, I deliberately ran my fingers through my wavy hair.

His eyes darkened, and his face seemed colder. I couldn't figure out why his mood shifted, nor did I care to guess.

I cut straight to the chase. "So, are you going to agree to my proposal, Mr. Howell?"

"What?" His gaze had already shifted away from me.

I chuckled.

I hadn't blacked out. Did he?

But I knew he hadn't. He was just being coy.

my boyfriend. Temporarily," I repeated what I had

His gaze was fixed

I noticed the Ferris wheel had reached

propose to me. Could it have been up

any unusual activity on

then, Brandon spoke, "What do you mean

just until Chris' obsession with me dies down. After that, we go back to being nothing." I felt a pang of guilt as I said this. After swallowing hard, I rephrased my explanation, "We won't actually

here if it weren't for Lisa's urging last night and Chris'

before continuing, "Because you're the most suitable person for the

I hesitated.

that now might make him feel used, so

I smiled sheepishly. "Nothing."

stated what I couldn't bring myself to say. Realizing he understood everything, I dropped the pretense and looked at

my heart raced, and I began to feel nervous. After a few seconds,