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, and

their birthdays and the anniversaries of their passing, I rarely visited

my parents. So, I wanted to visit them as I

a bouquet by the tombstone. Its wilted petals suggested it had been there for less than two

been over a decade since my parents' passing, and besides Zack and Bree, no one else

Zack and Bree come to pay their respects? If

with Chris now,

aside the withered flowers and placed

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

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

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

...

out my heart for over

how much time had passed when the sun was high, and I finally

up the withered flowers to throw them away. I noticed they

and I came to mourn my parents, we always brought lilies because Mom loved them. But these were daisies, not