Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

After Brandon left, I took a shower before laying down on the bed. Then, I picked up my phone.

Lisa had sent me a message with a photo attached. The photo showed Ellie sleeping soundly, and the message read, "Ellie is fine."

As expected of a close friend. I knew I could trust her to take good care of things.

I replied, "Thanks for your help."

Right after I hit the send button, Lisa's video call came through almost immediately. Had she been waiting for my reply?

Considering that she had just established a relationship with her crush, I figured that she was just eager to share the news with me. I answered the video call.

Lisa was lounging in her office chair, and her face was glowing with joy that was almost palpable through the screen. I teased her, "You can't hide that glow. It's written all over your face!" "Mrs. Howell, you're so poetic," Lisa said with a thumbs up.

I didn't play along. Thinking about her and Keith's progress, I couldn't help but tease, "Dr. Carline, you really know how to handle people."

"Do I?" Lisa replied with a faint smile.

I laughed. "Just agree to that statement."

how excited I was when I

definitely throw yourself

yet I didn't. Surprising, right?" she replied with

you lost your mind

definitely excited, but I wasn't

laughed. "So, you

with him for years, but I've also told you that while I love him, I can't let it make me forget myself or make him

advice. She had once said

Lisa was new to relationships, she was quite skilled at the

said while giving her a thumbs

a pro?" she responded with

speaking to Keith and

laughed. "Wasn't

everyone weak in the knees. That's why I say that you're smart. You know how to be cool when you need to be and how to be

that what

a bit embarrassed. I had ten years of unrequited love and four years of a clear