Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Mia burst onto campus, practically a whirlwind.

She and Jamie had picked the same advisor, which meant they were classmates again—just like old times. With Jamie around, handling school stuff was a breeze. "Mia, you nearly gave me a heart attack! I couldn't reach you on orientation day-l seriously thought you'd bailed on grad school!" Jamie said, half-laughing, half- scolding.

That set Mia off again. "Don't even get me started! My little rascal at home ripped up my admission letter, and thanks to that tiny troublemaker, I missed my entire opening ceremony."

The more Mia thought about it, the more riled up she got. When she got home, she gave her son a couple of gentle swats. "You're going to be the death of me, kiddo!"

Henry stomped and huffed. "Well, you're going to be the death of your precious boy, too!"

The two of them ended up calling Andre so he could referee their latest squabble.

Listening to the chaos over the phone, Andre just pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation.

Teddy, his friend, arched an eyebrow. "Ah, family drama. The good kind."

Carrying this "happy headache," Andre headed home. Even before he stepped inside, he could hear mother and son bickering. "Henry, you used to be so cute- what happened?"

"I'm still cute!" Henry shot back.

"You're a handful! I'm the good one here. You're just like your dad," Mia huffed.

The moment Andre walked in, he was greeted by two happy shouts "Honey!" and "Daddy!"—their family chorus.

squishy little boy climbing into his lap, Mia curling up beside him like a kitten. Instantly,

about we all go out for dinner at Majestic Dining Enclave?" Andre cut in

its tracks. "Daddy, I wanna go!" Henry cheered. "Honey, let's

Andre just grinned.

to change, Andre set Henry on his little bench by the door and crouched

sixth sense for

those shoes," Henry said, stubborn

clean, bud. Let Dad help

in his heels-literally-retreating on his tiny feet and clutching his

those shoes. Yesterday we tried to

on her hips. "Henry, why are you still sitting there?" Once she got the story, Mia gave Andre a wave.

minutes later, Mia strolled out victorious, her son

a feast-spicy, savory, and full of laughter. Afterward,

lap while Mia picked out new

Henry lounged back

and making his wishes

one?" Mia pointed to a pair

“No,

Henry finally approved,

by couldn't help