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.

flower shop, bought

like their birthdays and the anniversaries of their passing,

dreaming of my childhood and my parents. So, I wanted to visit them as

the cemetery, I noticed a bouquet by the tombstone. Its wilted petals suggested it

decade since my parents' passing, and besides Zack and Bree,

and Bree come to pay their respects? If they had, why hadn't

but with everything going on with Chris now, perhaps Bree had

aside the withered flowers and placed

looked at the youthful faces on the tombstone, my heart ached, yet I managed to smile. "Mom, Dad, have you missed me?

couldn't fulfill your and his parents' wishes for us

I think you just wanted me

...

their grave, I poured out my heart for over an

time had passed when the sun was

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

came to mourn my parents, we always brought lilies because Mom loved them. But