Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Mia was a whirlwind of activity, generously sharing her meticulously crafted notes with Molly and Anya. "Someday, when you two become moms, you'll find this gold. Soak it up now while it's on the house, 'cause once my little munchkin hits his first birthday, I'm starting a consultancy fee for parenting tips."

Molly arched an eyebrow. "Do you think I can't afford your sage advice?"

Mia shot back a screenshot of a generous bank transfer her husband had made a few days prior. "If you think you can swing it, by all means, I welcome your business."

Jade chimed in with a quick message: Got it saved.

Anya followed suit: Me too, all saved.

Leo teased Anya, "You're only eighteen. What's the rush?"

Anya blinked, her innocent face lighting up. "Right, I'm just eighteen, not even at the marrying age yet. Why am I in a hurry?" But then she impulsively deleted the photo. She paused, reconsidering. "But wait, Leo, what if I need this stuff later?"

She retrieved Mia's photo from the chat and saved it again.

Leo pointed out the obvious: "By the time you're a mom, your phone will be an antique."

Anya felt the weight of his logic, her naivety ensnaring her in a dilemma over a simple photo.

Leo ended up saving Mia's notes for her. "Let's eat, I saved them for you."

"Alright."

Leo always seemed to have a solution or decision ready whenever Anya was in a bind.

"I have to step out this afternoon," Leo said as he planned to drop Anya off at her place. "I'll..."

"Leo, where are you headed? I'll come with you," Anya, ever the tagalong, quickly interjected.

"I'm off to a tech conference. Pretty sure computer talk isn't your cup of tea."

worries, I can wait in the

the memo that

a boys' club. If you don't want to head home, I can drop you at Mia's. You can hang out with

picked up on Leo's reluctance and didn't push. "Okay,

"Yeah, let's eat."

Anya toward Maplewood Estates, feeling the unusual quiet next to him. He glanced at Anya, "Still want to crash the tech conference?"

another word and ignoring the turnoff for

you missed the turn," Anya pointed

find a couch and park yourself there. And don't give out any personal info, not even your phone or laptop password, to anyone there." Anya's eyes widened with disbelief and excitement. "Leo, are you really taking me with

palpable as she settled in her seat, bombarding him with questions. "Leo, what

And keep this to yourself, not a word to the

asked, "Can Auntie

"Nobody," Leo said firmly.

mystery to Leo; why

is this like a

ever the straight shooter, asked, "What, you planning to blackmail me into doing

that moment, Anya's romantic notions deflated before

the guesthouse before pulling Anya, who was gawking at everything, inside. "Leo, the conference is

led Anya into the living room, already bustling

girlfriend today?"

girlfriend, just a

She's pretty," another

was the only woman among

of place, she clung

a couch for Anya,

you're here, can you take a look

joined the crowd, his fingers flying across the keyboard. Anya, feeling bored, accepted a glass of water offered

exchange and advised, "You've got a drink

her morning juice, barely touched. She came back and