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.

hint of shyness in her voice. "Maybe

smiled, not pressing the issue.

her off at the Cedillo

small elegant bag, practically collapsed, abandoning

phone still echoed with the sounds of a card game, his focus on securing

paid attention to the world

Molly: "..."

of bags, and the butler

the little one who was practicing sitting up to suddenly gaze at his unusually

son, coaxing her sister, "Tired

mall marathon. What do

to Molly's. "Give your auntie a smooch for

turned his head away, brushing his cheek against hers, which Molly absolutely

"Oh, not up for a kiss?

Molly: "..."

rambling to Leo, who had spent his day shadowing Andre at the office and his evenings enduring Anya's non-stop chatter. Mia remarked, "Anya, cherish him. Finding someone patient enough to listen to you ramble is rare. Marry that man."

quipped, "It's incomplete

didn't catch his

kept it to

Leo got home and saw Molly sprawled out, he greeted

him "Uncle" to his face. "Uncle Chad, congrats on your wedding." Her words

nephew Henry, who seemed to enjoy being in

Naomi appeared, busy as ever. "Molly, what

and a bunch

to Chad and took Molly to her room to

bedroom, Naomi lamenting, "I was going to buy you bedding, but

"Molly, good choices. I've been stuck at home with the baby, unable to join you. Let me know if there's anything I