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

When had he missed the memo that Anya

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, just don't

"Yeah, let's eat."

Anya toward Maplewood Estates, feeling the unusual quiet next to him.

another word and ignoring the turnoff for Maplewood Estates, Leo accelerated straight past

missed the turn," Anya

find a couch and park yourself there. And don't give out any personal info, not even your phone

as she settled in her seat, bombarding him with questions.

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

Auntie or Aunt

"Nobody," Leo said firmly.

mystery to Leo;

a

ever the straight shooter, asked, "What, you planning

moment, Anya's romantic notions deflated before the

a suburban villa, where Leo registered their details at the guesthouse before pulling Anya, who was gawking at everything, inside. "Leo, the conference is in a

affirmation and led Anya into the living room,

your girlfriend today?"

not my girlfriend, just a sister," Leo

pretty," another chimed

indeed, she was the

place, she

couch for Anya, and Leo

you take a look at this

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

caught the exchange and advised, "You've got a

returned to the car and found her morning juice, barely touched. She came back and handed