Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

That's just how it was-one stoic dad, one lively daughter, both clutching the brightest pink roses, neither of them quite matching their pretty bouquets.

"Hurry up, your mom's coming-call her over!” Conner jostled Lizzy in his arms, his words light but quick.

Lizzy spun around, her wide eyes lighting up when she spotted her mom-cool and beautiful as ever. Like a little fangirl, she stretched her arms up, demanding a hug. “Waa waa~ ya ya ah!”—her not-so-subtle request.

Annie stepped out from the shade and faced them, and as she reached for her daughter, Conner plopped the bouquet of roses into her arms.

She stared, a bit caught off guard. "What's this about?"

“It's Qixi Festival, isn't it? Every lady gets flowers today." Conner, the unofficial boss of Newtown, had made a special trip just for this.

Annie looked from the flowers to her tall, always-dignified husband. She almost wanted to scold him, but the urge fizzled out. "So you dragged Lizzy along with you?"

bunch, Lizzy's got a few stems. She said hers weren't enough, insisted on holding yours, so she

Mr. Nettleton had his soft

compared to her mom's, but he'd still gone out of his way to pick her up

wanted the big, fancy bouquet Dad had

cheeks turned red with frustration. She refused to give up. Conner, pressed for time during his lunch break and determined

them go, just popping a sunhat on Lizzy before sending father and daughter out the door. On her lunch break, Annie sat in the car, flowers in her lap, and caught sight of Lizzy's little bunch. It was obvious Mr. Nettleton had put in the

didn't want to get her the big bouquet-it's just, those huge ones are heavier than

up like

time to gossip, they've got time to buy their wives flowers,

time, the big boss

the car, he pulled her back, insisting