Love's Redemption

Redmption 328

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

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 gl

“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.”

She smiled knowingly but didn’t say anything else. I recalled the earlier scene and said, “Lisa, you have no idea how excited I was when I heard Keith saying that he also liked you. I was ready to burst with joy, and

I thought that you’d definitely throw yourself into his arms.”

“And yet I didn’t. Surprising, right?” she replied with a chuckle.

“Yeah. Were you so excited that you lost your mind back then?” I teased her playfully.

Lisa pursed her lips. “I was definitely excited, but I wasn’t out of my mind. I acted calm on purpose.”

I laughed. “So, you were playing against expectations?”

“Something like that.” She sighed softly. “Maddie, I’ve liked him and been infatuated with him for years, but I’ve also told you that while I love him, I can’t let it make me forget myself or make him think that his response is some great favor to me.”

Lisa’s words made me reflect 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 balance.

I had to admit that although Lisa was new to relationships, she was quite skilled at the game.

“Dr. Carline, you’re a pro,” I said while giving her a thumbs up.

“Is that what you call being a pro?” she responded with a modest smile. Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

remembered her playful tone when she was speaking to Keith and mimicked her, “Keith, I’m hungry now.”

She laughed. “Wasn’t that charming?”

pretended to shiver. “You’ve got everyone weak in the knees. That’s why I say that you’re smart. You know how to be cool when you need to be and how to be sweet when it counts.”

“Isn’t that what men like?”

Lisa’s comment made me feel a bit embarrassed. I had ten years of unrequited love and four years of a clear relationship experience.

“You win. You’re the best. Maybe I should start calling you Ms. Carline from now on.” I teased her.

Lisa gave a light smile. “Why are you home alone? Where’s Mr. Howell?”

“He’s in his own room.”

As soon as I said this, Lisa asked, “What’s going on? Is Aunt Flo here?”

“No, it’s Uncle Flo,” I quipped, making her laugh heartily

Seeing her smiling brightly, I said, “Don’t just laugh. What about the follow–up with Mr. Marrow? How did he feed you when you were hungry?”

I was being suggestive. But Lisa, who was an expert in these matters, understood immediately. “How did he feed me? You can imagine that yourself.”

“Seriously, are we still best friends? Why are you hiding things from me?” I teased.

Lisa snorted. “Even best friends can’t share everything.”

“But there is one thing I need to share with you.” I had been thinking about the man who had been eavesdropping at Lisa’s office door earlier.