Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Heat still clinging to her skin, Mia scooped her son up with one arm and gave his chubby cheek a playful squeeze. "You had two pieces again, huh?"

"Honey, it was two and a half. I split the popsicle in half, but he stole a chunk from me," she said, shooting her husband a look.

Little Henry stuck out his bottom lip, still sulky from Dad's stern talking-to. Now he had to tag along as they headed over to Grandma's place to see his uncle.

In the back seat, Mia and Henry sat together. Henry knelt up, fidgeting, and tried to poke at the sunroof.

"Just wait till your brother gets home. I bet you'll love his sports car," Mia teased.

Henry chirped in his baby voice, "Brother calls me sweetie-"

"Oh, by the way," Mia turned to her husband, "is Anya staying here for the summer, or headed back?"

Andre replied, "She's going back. Liam and Naomi stayed just to pick her up after break starts, then they'll all head back together."

Mia gave a knowing sigh. "Leo's going to miss her so much. He never wants Anya to leave."

Andre's tone turned a little sharp. "He's a grown man, always moping about love. He needs to get it together." Even Henry could tell Dad was annoyed. He piped up, "Daddy's mad-"

Mia grinned. "Says the guy who's all romance and sweet nothings with me. Aren't you a grown man too?"

Andre huffed, "That's different. He's supposed to be building his future, not daydreaming all day."

top of your game, your heart belongs to me, is

paused for a few seconds. "Not

"Huh?" Mia blinked.

perked up, hoping for

kept driving,

Henry to his own devices, and peered into the front seat. "Babe, you haven't hit your

to talk about it. Mia let it

about nothing in particular

reached the Irvin house, Henry had already bolted. Grandma scooped him up to show him some new toys, Grandpa grabbed him for a

wn vol.nz

the yard until Henry was so dizzy he

got a moment to herself, curling up at home

sat across from her,

with

own little "experiments

chatted with Mia. "So, you're already studying for the bar

don't want to be scrambling

kick up a fuss—he was still a kid,

sweltering and the streets were empty,

with hats and sunscreen and took him