Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Leo's grin spread across his face as the group's chatter filled the air. It was only when Anya's voice cut through the noise that the conversations halted.

Leo stood up and walked over to Anya, gently grabbing her wrist. "Don't rub it; you'll just make it worse."

Even before she could speak, he knew why she had called him. Standing close enough to touch, Leo gazed into Anya's eyes, his focus on her long lashes. With a tender sweep of his thumb, he brushed away whatever was bothering her. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, Leo was captivated by the clear, innocent depths of Anya's gaze. Noticing her eye had reddened, he playfully pursed his lips and blew gently on it when she wasn't looking.

"Hey, what are you doing blowing on my eye?" Anya immediately shut her eyes.

Then, she felt a light tap on her forehead.

"Silly girl, you almost rubbed your lashes off," Leo teased, noting the long lash on his fingertip. His tenderness lasted but a moment before his straightforward nature took over. "There goes the longest one; now you've made yourself less pretty." Anya just pouted silently.

Realizing it was getting late and recalling Anya's yawn from earlier, Leo said, "We should get going; you've got class tomorrow."

He led her out into the night, the sky now a dark canvas.

At this hour, the Cedillo family and the residents of Maplewood Estates had finished their dinners, leaving no chance for a free meal.

Driving back into town, Leo took Anya to his favorite diner.

"Chad, are you a hacker?" Anya asked innocently across the table.

Leo paused mid-wipe, looking at her for a long moment before replying, "No."

Anya, tapping her upper palate with her tongue, remembered Chad's earlier advice not to share any personal electronic or identity information with others. "Those guys you were talking with today, are any of them hackers?" "Some are," he admitted.

Her aunt had once told her that a girl should always keep 30% of herself

did you want to study computer science, but your uncle didn't want you to, and now

mumbled, sensing she had crossed a line.

pouring her a glass of water, Leo's face softened. "You're nothing like your aunt

Jade would have him break into the

charge it?"

was silent, prompting Leo to rest his forehead in his hand, exasperated. "I heard you're

She nodded.

your money. Pick a different subject," he advised, leaving her feeling like she'd been stabbed in

photo. "Do you want anything, Aunt Mia? Chad and I can bring it to

watered with longing. "I can't have any of that; I'm breastfeeding Henry. Those spices would make him sick." Anya read

in a thick coat with pajamas underneath, Jade appeared at

currying favor with Grandma Aubree and Grandpa Elmer, hoping to leave

the guesthouse, visiting the grandparents every day since the Byrne family was away. Learning they enjoyed opera, she took up the art and even accompanied them to park performances in the evening. However, Chad had made it clear: no overnight stays

from the hospital by Molly, even Coleen gently reprimanded her daughter, ensuring her public face

Molly's dominance

she saw a chance to stand close to Chad, she wedged herself between him and any

nurse who seemed to have taken a liking to Chad would often find excuses to visit Coleen's room. On catching Chad there, she'd linger for small

interest in her son, suggested after she left, "A cop and

match,"

who would