Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Chad paused for a second, then his face lit up with realization. "Yeah, you're right."

"Let's go with the 'Endless Bloom.' The color's perfect, the fabric's satin, and the embroidery is way more intricate than the rest," Chad suggested earnestly, not just paying lip service.

Molly took a sip of her bubble tea, placed the cup on the table, and ticked off an item on her checklist. Chad grabbed her drink and tried a sip through her straw, tasting the sugar-free concoction.

Molly turned to him with a questioning look. "Does it taste like there's zero sweetness to you?"

Chad replied with a half-smile, "Sweet enough to give you a toothache."

Molly stuck her tongue out at him playfully. "I'd take the pain."

Chad took her drink and held it to her lips, feeding her a sip. "So, what? You gonna roll on the floor in agony, swearing off sugar for life to me, Chad?"

Molly took a gulp, her cheeks puffing out guiltily, avoiding a reply.

Chad's teasing hit home. Not that Molly couldn't dish it back, but he was describing a scenario all too familiar from her past.

After lunch, Molly couldn't drink anymore. Not wanting to waste it or carry it around, she handed it over to Chad. "Bro, I can't drink anymore."

Chad took the cup, holding her hand as he finished the drink for her before letting go and tossing the trash. He then continued, one hand holding their morning's spoils, the other ushering Molly into a home decor store to purchase the two sets they'd decided on, plus an extra flowery four-piece set for Grandma Byrne.

In the afternoon, Molly set out to shop for other things.

Thankfully, fashionista Molly had the stamina for shopping, leaving her with plenty of time to continue until the evening.

Chad made several trips back to the car to drop off bags; if he hadn't accompanied Molly today, leaving her and Anya to fend for themselves would have been unthinkable.

By afternoon, they hit a wedding store, with Molly's list guiding them on a treasure hunt for red envelopes, balloons, favor boxes, candlesticks, and decorative "Double Happiness" characters.

Even as the day wore on, Molly didn't let her fatigue show.

at her list, a hint of shyness in her voice. "Maybe just socks

not pressing

the Cedillo residence to deliver something before heading back to the Byrne

elegant bag, practically collapsed, abandoning any pretense of poise.

the sounds of a card game, his focus on securing the

paid attention to the

Molly: "..."

the butler

who was practicing sitting up to suddenly gaze

son, coaxing her sister, "Tired

What do you

close to Molly's. "Give your auntie

guy turned his head away, brushing his cheek against hers, which

up for a kiss? Then let's

Molly: "..."

Mia remarked, "Anya, cherish him. Finding someone patient enough to listen to you ramble is

"It's

catch

did but kept it

home and saw Molly sprawled out, he greeted her

Chad, congrats on your wedding." Her words always struck

nephew Henry, who seemed to enjoy

after, Naomi appeared, busy as ever. "Molly, what did you buy today?

and a bunch of little

Chad and took Molly to her room to show

women gathered in the bedroom, Naomi lamenting, "I was going to buy you bedding, but you've already done it. I've been preparing your dowry

been stuck at home with the baby, unable to join