Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 711

Xander kept that stone-cold poker face, and honestly? I was cover it. I grabbed my phone and started scrolling, pretending not to care

"You really pull guys in, huh?" he said out of nowhere.

I glanced up, raising a brow. "Obviously. I'm a total catch Everyone's obsessed with me "

I smirked. "What's the problem? Wade getting too much of my attention for your ling?

He sipped his water, cool as ever. "No."

Yeah, okay. Sure, Jan.

I was ready to roll my eyes and move on when he hit me with "You only love Hayden"

Yikes. Cue the most awkward silence ever.

I almost laughed. Like, really? The guy was walking around all smeg thinking I was still hooked on him?

Spoiler: not completely wrong. I mean, I still had the ring he gave me and this bracelet with

the dumb little bell charm.

The bell jingled softly when I flicked it, breaking the tension. "Yeah, you're right-I do love him," I said, voice light. "But let's be real, how sustainable is that? Loving someone you can't even touch? Kinda tragic, don't you think? I shot him a sly smile. "Maybe one day, I'll meet someone else. The world's full of distractions, right?"

darkened. "So your love

shrug, "If someone wants a shot, they better make it while I'm still

but an image of Jace coughing

He was Exhibit

and I wasn't about

as Yuna and Wade came back. Yuna was all sunshine and sparkles, practically skipping into the room, while Wade looked like he was deep in

fast. At one point, she started teasing me

since you proposed to Keira! When are

"she said, grinning.

Xander sald, so chill you'd think

huffed before turning, her playful energy toward me. "Right, Keira? You're dying to lock him down too,

it, nodding like I was in on the joke, "Oh, I can wait. But if I do lose patience, and he's still dragging his feet?

you

said, his eyes locking with mine.

to dip. I stood, muttering something about needing

Yuna, Xander when it was just us-felt like a fun little game. But now? It was seriously

air calm me down. Below, koi swirled

I heard footsteps.

you?"

my eyes on the fish. "Doesn't everyone have something weighing on them?" I mumbled. "Even those fish probably have their own little problems." "Like what? Planning a jailbreak?" Wade joked, and I couldn't help it-a small smile slipped out. "Maybe," I said, voice soft. "Human worries, fish worries... it's all just stuff hiding under the surface, isn't

the sound