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."

Mia nudged him. "Oh, so now that you're at the top of your game, your heart belongs to me, is that it?"

Andre paused for a few seconds. "Not at the top yet."

"Huh?" Mia blinked.

Henry's ears perked up, hoping for some juicy gossip.

Andre just kept driving, repeating, "Not yet."

Mia leaned over, leaving Henry to his own devices, and peered into the front seat. "Babe, you haven't hit your goal?"

Andre didn't want to talk about it. Mia let it drop.

Mother and son chatted about nothing in particular as the car rolled on.

By the time they reached the Irvin house, Henry had already bolted. Grandma scooped him up to show him some new toys, Grandpa grabbed him for a stroll, and Uncle Ed-who both adored and was exasperated by the little

wn vol.nz

rascal-spun him around the yard until Henry was so dizzy he could barely stand, tumbling into his uncle's arms for a hug.

Finally, a got a moment to herself, curling up at home with a book.

Henry sat across from her, bucl

with

his own little "experiments "

Madison, her mom, watched Henry play as she chatted with Mia. "So, you're already studying for the bar exam?"

"Just getting a head start. I don't want to be scrambling when the time comes."

Sometimes Henry would kick up a fuss—he was still a kid, after all—insisting they go out to play.

Even though it was sweltering and the streets were empty, he wouldn't take no for an answer.

So, his sun-averse mom geared up with hats and sunscreen and took him out for a walk.

"How about we go check in on your godmother?" Mia suggested.

"Okay~” Henry squeaked.

Mia texted Annie and found out she had the day off, relaxing at Crescent Park.

They headed over and spotted Annie-her face glowing, her figure a little rounder than before—waving them over.

"Godmom-" Henry called.

"Sweetie, get in here! I've got loads of treats for you," Annie beamed.

She eyed Mia's getup and laughed. “Mia, are you on a mission or something?"

"You have no idea. My little rebel just has to stand out, so we're out here braving the sun," Mia said, glancing at Annie's belly. "Conner must be over the moon."

At the mention of Conner, Annie's whole face lit up. "He keeps flying back and

forth just to take me to my appointments."

But every time, right after the checkup, he'd have to hop on a plane and headnoveldrama

back.