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.

couldn't fully grasp the gravity of it all. Her aunt had once told her that

with Leo, Anya found it impossible to keep any secrets. Guessing at the truth, she laid it all out. "Chad, did you want to study computer science, but your uncle didn't want you to, and now you have to sneak around behind his back?" Leo

she had crossed a line. "I

Leo's face softened. "You're nothing like your aunt or your mom. You're the most innocent person

would have him hack into Cedillo Inc.'s financial department to transfer all the company's money into her account. Jade would have him break into

charge it?"

his hand, exasperated. "I

She nodded.

subject," he advised, leaving her feeling like she'd been stabbed in

they ate, Anya thought of her nursing aunt back home and sent Mia a photo. "Do you want anything, Aunt Mia? Chad and I

at the spread of delicious food-jumbo shrimp, spicy chicken feet, fiery Szechuan stews... Her mouth watered with longing. "I can't have any of that; I'm breastfeeding Henry. Those spices would make him sick." Anya read Mia's reply and sighed. "Poor Aunt Mia. I'll ask my

wrapped in a thick coat with pajamas underneath,

was currying favor with Grandma Aubree and Grandpa

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 at the Byrne home. Vivian was smart enough to retreat without pushing the issue, focusing instead on

the hospital by Molly, even Coleen gently reprimanded

dominance

to Chad, she wedged herself between him and any other girl, possessively claiming

would often find excuses to visit

understanding the nurse's interest in her son, suggested after she left, "A

match,"

would be your