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?"

eyes darkened. "So

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

an image of Jace coughing up blood

He was Exhibit A of

stayed quiet, and I wasn't about to poke

as soon as Yuna and Wade came back. Yuna was all sunshine and sparkles, practically skipping

vibe flipped fast. At one point, she started teasing

Keira! When are you finally sealing

"she said, grinning.

chill you'd think he'd

patience here," Yuna huffed before turning, her playful energy toward me. "Right, Keira?

in on the joke, "Oh, I can wait. But if I do

"Hayden, did you hear that? She's calling

locking with mine. "But it's not happening. I won't

my cue to dip. I stood, muttering something about needing the bathroom, but

whole two-face act-Hayden for Yuna, Xander when it was just us-felt like a fun little game. But now? It

the railing, letting the cool air calm me down. Below, koi

I heard

bothering you?"

didn't look at him, just kept 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

just the sound of