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."

sent me over the edge. "Dr.

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

it gets messy and you need to

I'm holding you to that," she said, resting her head against mine. "But, um, I actually

"What's up?"

grandpa's birthday is today. I

parents had been hounding her to show up. If she

mom might cut her off

freaked out? Is your grandpa secretly a fire-breathing dragon?"

her eyes. "You're hilarious. You

you don't want to see

She didn't deny it.

come on," 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

giving

Lena frowned. "Unless what?"

hands. "Nothing! Forget I said

know what you're implying."

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

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

way too quickly. "Anyway, will you come with me? You always say my grandpa's like yours too,