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."

"Lisa, you have no idea how excited I was when I heard Keith saying that he also liked you. I was ready to burst

thought that you'd definitely throw yourself into his

Surprising, right?" she replied with

so excited that you lost

was definitely excited, but I wasn't out of my mind. I acted calm

laughed. "So, you

years, but I've also told you that while I love him, I can't let

on our conversation and her previous advice. She had once said that my breakup with Chris was ultimately due to my inability to manage the

to admit that although Lisa was new to relationships, she was quite skilled at the

I said while giving her a thumbs

that what you call being a pro?" she

tone when she was speaking to Keith and

"Wasn't that

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

that what

I had ten years of unrequited love and four