Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 313

We stood silently by the lake, listening to the sound of the wind rippling across the water. After a while, I started to feel a bit tired, and my body couldn't stay still any longer. "What's wrong?" Brandon asked,

"I need to sit down. My legs are getting sore," I admitted.

Brandon glanced around, and before I knew it, I felt myself being lifted as he scooped me up by the waist and carried me toward a large rock nearby.

Even though I'm used to him picking me up whenever he feels like it, I still playfully protested, "I can walk on my own."

"But didn't you say your legs were sore? How are you going to walk?"

I stuck my tongue out at him and fell silent.

Brandon gently set me down, then sat beside me. Just as I was about to snuggle up to him, he extended his arm, pulling me onto his lap.

What was this move?

The question had barely crossed my mind when he leaned in and whispered in my ear.

"The rock's cold."

boyfriend more thoughtful than

was no

I said, tilting my head up to

as my lips touched his, something felt off. A faint taste of tobacco lingered in the air,

Brandon had been smoking!

that was why he came out to the riverside

won't smoke again.

my head. "It's

me, his dark eyes even deeper than the

brow. "I don't mind if you smoke. If you want to, go ahead. Just don't smoke

thinking about my parents' car accident. "Brandon, you're the closest person I have now, so you have to take care of yourself. Stay

we're old."

but I found myself looking forward to

He swallowed hard.

I never finished reading it. I only got through the first half. I never looked

report from my parents'

and after a moment, he spoke softly, "It's

worried I'd react like I did