Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

I chuckled. "Brandon, I've made myself clear. Since we have different goals, let's call it off, then."

"But don't you need a boyfriend?" Brandon pressed.

"Yes, I do, but I can't handle a military guy like you. I'll figure something else out."

My response seemed to darken his gaze even more.

I half-expected him to protest or compromise, but he surprised me by saying nothing at all. I had overestimated myself.

"Well, then, I'm sorry for overstepping," I said.

Turning away, I hurried into my car as though eager to escape the scene.

It wasn't until I was sure Brandon couldn't see me that I finally stopped the car. After taking a deep breath, I regretted the reckless impulsiveness of last night's drinks.

I should have asked Derick to pretend to be my boyfriend instead of getting involved with Brandon.

But it was too late for regrets now.

my nerves, I drove to a flower shop, bought a bouquet,

occasions like their birthdays and the anniversaries of their

lately, I'd been dreaming of my childhood and my parents. So, I wanted to visit them as

tombstone. Its wilted petals suggested it had been there

had been over a decade since my parents' passing, and besides

Bree come to pay their respects? If

was puzzled, but with everything going on with Chris now, perhaps Bree had simply forgotten to

set aside the withered flowers and placed my own

the tombstone, my heart ached, yet I managed to smile. "Mom, Dad, have you missed me? I've been dreaming of you a

broke up. I'm sorry I couldn't fulfill your and his parents' wishes

than fulfilling the promise you arranged, I think you just wanted me to

...

out my heart for over an

passed when the sun was high, and

up the withered flowers to throw them away. I noticed they weren't lilies.

with the Gildon family, whenever Zack, Bree, Chris, and I came to mourn my parents, we always brought lilies because Mom loved