Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

22

Chapter 784

"You broke up with Nate, and he just... said nothing?" I blinked at Lena, low-key stunned.

She gave this tiny, tired smile. "Maybe he's done, too. Now he can live his life however he wants-no nagging, no guilt trips."

Yeah, right. That sounded more like her venting than anything

"Be real. Was breaking up just you blowing off steam? Or did you mean it?"

Lena shook her head. "No, I've actually thought it through."

I snorted, and she laughed. "Seriously. Since I told him to come back to Kehlmark, I've been asking myself-what do women really want from love and marriage? "Stability, someone to rely on, right? If he can't give me that, I can give it to myself. So why hold on to love or marriage?"

"Uh, maybe for keeping things... physically interesting?"

She cracked up. "Oh, please. If th

"Oh, please. If that's all you want, you can 'buy' it-any flavor, any style,

swap it out when you're bored."

me over the edge. "Dr. Lane,

I got her point. "Lena, I'm with you, no matter what. I know how tough

If it gets messy and you need to vent-or

against mine. "But, um, I actually need you for

"What's up?"

grandpa's birthday is today. I can't

hounding her to show up. If

might cut her off

Is your grandpa secretly a

rolled her eyes. "You're hilarious. You know it's

because you don't want to see Uncle Aaron,

She didn't deny it.

I said, nudging her. "You're still hung up on that one awkward incident? The one where you, uh, accidentally saw a little

Chapter 784

tilted my head, giving her a

Lena frowned. "Unless what?"

my hands.

like you don't know what you're

okay? And after... well, after he saved me, it's even worse.

and the hesitation in her voice made me pause. "Just what?

with