Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Molly felt a twinge of guilt thinking about her spat with Chad. Despite their argument, he had been patient and coaxed her back into good spirits.

"Alright, enough about me," she said, turning to Mia. "What's going on with you and Andre? Why's he not helping you out?"

Mia sighed heavily. "Andre won't lift a finger to help. He's dumped his entire graduation thesis on me."

Molly paused for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Welcome to the club!"

Mia rested her chin in her hand, looking despondent.

"Didn't get much sleep last night, huh?" Molly observed, noticing her friend's weariness.

"Is it that obvious?" Mia thought back to her son's restless night. "He'd cry when he was hungry, cry when he had a dirty diaper, cry when it was too dark, and cry when the light was on. One minute I'm rubbing his belly, the next I'm up walking him around. I mean, seriously, taking care of a baby shouldn't be this hard, right?"

Molly asked, "Usually, isn't it Andre who gets up at night to look after Henry while you catch some sleep?"

Mia thought of her husband. "It's possible. Last night he kept showing up at the door. Every time the baby cried, he was there, reminding me what to do. You know, my husband's actually pretty responsible."

The two friends pondered if they might have been taking their men for granted.

"Mia, you should get some sleep tonight. You're sporting some serious dark circles. You're still recovering from childbirth; you can't overdo it."

Mia was candid with her bestie. "I just can't swallow my pride."

Jade chimed in, "Honestly, I don't even know how to sweet-talk Chad anymore."

The worries were back.

night. We'll make it seem like we're spilling the beans behind

"Molly, I'm sticking

after their chat, the unsuspecting

her a hard time? Nothing seems to rattle her, except you. You're the only one who can

frowned. "I'm the only

have no idea how much Molly adores you, Chad," Mia said

...

eyes, she looks more like a grandma than a fresh 21-year-old. It must be all the stress from taking care of the baby." Andre remembered his wife's tired face. "I haven't noticed any change in

was practically falling asleep standing up. Have you been too knocked out at night to hear Henry crying, leaving Mia to deal

...

exchanged covert winks. The men had taken the bait; now it was time to see

"Molly, I didn't mean to come down on you. And it's not just because I feel sorry for them; I care

did too. But I handle things more smoothly, without leaving any trace. Remember the other night when I had to smooth things over with the neighbors? If the cops had come for you, would you have been safe?" Thank goodness

hadn't handled things as well as she thought, which explained why Andre had been so

of water from the car's

asked, "Mia told me you think I'm the one you

"Spit-take!"

all over the windshield, coughing and sputtering. Chad quickly handed her a tissue while keeping one hand

say?!" Molly

me with my thesis, I understand you're just worried about my defense. And it doesn't change how I feel about you. There's no one else for me. You were my first love, and I'm devoted to you. Before you, I was single; now I'm a married woman. Those other guys don't even register to me,

and have emotional integrity. I might get mad at you, but that's because I love you and I need

night caring for our son, with no time to regret marrying you. And marrying you is the best thing that's ever happened

is bread and butter, I'm not vain. I'd be right there with you, eating bread and butter. I'm willing to endure hardship with you. And I can support us

confront