Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Leo's place was a converted garage-still half-finished, but the rent was rock- bottom and the space was massive. The owner used to lease it out as a warehouse. Downside? It was a pain to live in: freezing in the winter, boiling in the summer. Still, when you weighed the pros and cons, this was the spot.

"If you don't tough it out when you're young, you'll regret it when you're old," Chunky muttered, trying to pep himself up.

Leo laughed. "Where I'm from, everyone says you've got to grind when you're young so you can kick back later. But abroad? Kids get pampered, everyone lives in the moment. Guess it depends on how you grow up."

"So which do you think is better?" Chunky asked.

Leo shrugged, grinning. "Honestly? I'm old-school—a straight-up traditionalist. I still think your youth is for hustling. Otherwise, how does anything get better?"

They both cracked up.

Just then, the two women walked in, each with a toddler tucked under an arm. Henry and Wayne, the little guys, gawked at the noise and sparks from the construction inside. A welder in a big mask sent sparks everywhere—those two were mesmerized.

The second Henry spotted Leo, he hollered, "Bro!”

Wayne piped up right behind him, "Hey!"

Leo paused mid-conversation and turned around. "Well, well, look who showed up

all four little rascals!" He broke into a smile, genuinely happy.

strode over, scooping up the "dragon" kid in one arm and

wandered off to

look at Leo's family. He took in the women's style and blurted out, “Wow, they're gorgeous! Way better than any

the two squirmy kids. "Why not ask whose kids these

"So, whose are

Henry piped up, "Daddy's!"

"No, dummy,

Henry got confused. "Where?"

again, "Point to

finger shot out, pointing at Mia, who was poking around nearby.

called back, "Hang on, let me look around. Let your brother hug you

Leo glanced at Wayne, who still hadn't managed to say much, and teased, "You

shook his head, then sighed. "Figures the pretty ones always get snatched up

left for me. But why do you call

at Mia.

at Molly.

"All family."

from

Henry and suddenly remembered the stories Leo

wife and