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.

had once told her that a girl should always keep

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

she had crossed a line. "I

table and pouring her a glass of water, Leo's face softened. "You're nothing like your aunt or your mom. You're the most innocent person I

those women knew his secret, Mia 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 the

charge it?" he

rest his forehead in his hand, exasperated. "I heard

She nodded.

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

nursing aunt back home and sent Mia a photo. "Do you want anything, Aunt Mia? Chad and

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

coat with

with Grandma Aubree

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

Molly, even Coleen gently reprimanded her daughter, ensuring her public face was

Molly's dominance

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

would often find excuses to visit Coleen's room. On catching Chad there, she'd linger for small

suggested after she left,

a match,"

would be your