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."

I can wait in

hesitated. When had he missed the memo that Anya

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

up on Leo's reluctance and didn't push. "Okay, just don't forget to pick

"Yeah, let's eat."

feeling the unusual quiet next to him.

turnoff for Maplewood Estates, Leo

the turn," Anya pointed

any personal info, not even your phone or laptop password, to

settled in her seat, bombarding him with questions. "Leo, what are you doing there? What's

more silence. And keep this to yourself, not a word to the

"Can Auntie or Aunt

"Nobody," Leo said firmly.

mystery to Leo; why was she always

like a secret between

"What, you planning to blackmail

Anya's romantic notions deflated before the

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

grunted in affirmation and led Anya into the

girlfriend today?" someone

girlfriend, just a sister," Leo

pretty," another chimed

was the only

place, she clung to Leo's

room on a couch for Anya, and Leo didn't hesitate to

here, can you take

couch and joined the crowd, his fingers flying across the keyboard. Anya, feeling bored, accepted

"You've got a

Anya returned to the car and found her morning juice, barely touched.