Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Molly blinked in disbelief, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "So the only reason you married me was to sleep with me?" "Yep."

Usually thick-skinned, Molly found herself outmatched by Chad, of all people. How did he manage to outdo her in audacity?

"Oh, please! Dream on, buddy," Molly retorted, her cheeks flushing a telltale crimson. Lately, she didn't know what was up with her. Every time she faced Chad, her verbal sparring took a nosedive, as if she'd met her match. After their spat, Molly, unashamed, asked, "So, Chad, when do you get off work?"

"Why?"

"Well, it's almost Christmas, and I haven't gotten a new dress yet," she hinted.

Chad flushed with embarrassment. "Didn't you just...?"

Catching the disapproving glare from Molly's sparkling eyes, he quickly corrected himself. "I'm off at six, just wait for me on the couch."

Just the other day, Molly had splurged on new clothes, and here she was, craving a Christmas outfit already.

The enigma of a woman's desire to shop was something Chad still found baffling.

Come afternoon, Chad took Molly's hand as they left the station.

Behind them, Donnie started his teasing, "There she goes, there she goes, off with the captain's credit card."

Old Cody chuckled. "Donnie, give up the badge, man. The local comedy club is hiring. You've got talent; maybe it's time for a career switch."

Donnie packed up his desk, ready to call it a day, and joked, "If I switch, my old man would kill me."

Chad thought Molly would go for another dress or the latest designer bag, but at the mall, she dragged him straight to the men's section.

He looked at her in surprise. "Who's this for?"

"For the dog."

Molly's waist got another playful slap from Chad as he teased, "Say that again!"

she muttered,

All his affection

the one footing the bill,

Chad lounging on a couch while she tried on a variety of dresses. This time, the roles reversed. Now she watched him try on clothes, giving approving nods or decisive headshakes. Fortunately, since Molly had once shopped

eye, a nearby salesperson complimented

salesperson had heard Molly switch between calling him "Chad" and "bro," she naturally assumed they were brother and sister. Chad clarified while

"Oh, fiancés! Congratulations!"

the store got

Chad took a day to announce his upcoming marriage to Molly to

aren't you siblings?" everyone gasped

clarified, "My last name's Sullivan, hers is Jiang. We

try

shopping, Molly persuaded Chad to take her to a new restaurant in

for clothes, three

still

of excitement about getting married. Puzzled, she asked her friend Mia, "Do you think I'm taking this marriage too lightly? I have zero reaction, almost like it isn't even happening to me. How did you feel before you got married?" Mia replied, "You're asking me? Before I got married, I dragged you out to rant about Andre being too old not to

joined her friend's rant against the

I feel nothing. Could it be

her friend's dangerous thoughts. "Stop it. Don't start doubting your feelings. Maybe you're just too familiar with the Byrne family, and marrying into it feels like going back home. Maybe the wedding's just a formality to you?" The thought of questioning her affection for Chad now, right before their wedding, was

if Molly dared to call off the engagement, Chad would have none

cross-legged on

her door, followed by the sounds of a little

find her husband with their bundle-of-joy son in

guy, and his cries slowly

fussier, only quieting down with his

boy, sometimes he

find only his mother and no father, the little guy

fathom why her son had suddenly

was upon Havenbrook, blanketed in a fresh layer of snow, enhancing the holiday

"Good Fortune" signs were up, the snow at the