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."

but didn't say anything else. I recalled the earlier scene and said, "Lisa, you have no idea how excited I was when I heard Keith saying that he

thought that you'd definitely

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

you so excited that you lost your mind back then?"

was definitely excited, but I wasn't

you

softly. "Maddie, I've liked him and been infatuated 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

previous advice. She had once said that my breakup

new to relationships,

a pro," I said while giving her

what you call being a pro?"

when she was speaking to Keith and mimicked her,

"Wasn't

that you're smart. You know

that what

ten years of unrequited love and four