Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

At the restaurant, even Chunky could tell Anya was about to head home.

They chatted for a bit.

Chunky asked Leo, "So, you've only been looking for people from your own school? I thought you'd be scouting talent on the black market or something."

Leo shook his head. "Those guys are too unpredictable. Who knows what kind of jobs they've taken before? Honestly, there are some great up-and-comers among the students."

Chunky smirked. "Aren't you a student, too?"

Leo grinned and slung his arm around Anya's shoulders. "Not anymore. I'm practically a family man now-gotta provide for my girl."

Anya looked up at him, beaming, her eyes full of happiness.

Chunky watched the two of them and couldn't help but roll her eyes at the sweetness overload.

Leo nudged Chunky and joked, "What, jealous? Lose a little weight and you'll have someone special, too."

Chunky shot back, "You know, there's still time for me to reconsider this friendship."

Anya burst out laughing and slipped out of Leo's arms.

Leo just kept smiling, serving food to both of them while he continued talking through his ideas and how he needed Chunky's help recruiting people.

Later that afternoon, after they dropped Chunky off, Anya wanted to check on the babies before heading home herself.

She called the moms. First, Mia answered, "Henry went to the Cedillo Group for an inspection."noveldrama

Then Anya called Jade. "I honestly have no idea where Wayne's wandered off to. Anya, can you get Leo to check the tracker for me? And shoot me a message if you find out?"

A moment later, Wayne's tracker popped up he was at the park.

Who takes a kid to the park in this heat?

They hurried over.

Even from a distance, they could hear the traditional opera music playing. As they got closer, they spotted Wayne slouched in his. stroller looking absolutely done with

life while his great-granddo net

Aubree and Elmer, were happily enjoying the performance.

Wayne whimpered on and off, sweat running down his neck.

When Leo and Anya showed up, Grandma Aubree and Grandpa Elmer

recognized them right away. Wayne, for the first time ever, looked like he was thrilled to see his big brother.

Leo scooped Wayne up, and the little guy immediately clung to him, desperate to get out of there and escape the heat.

He was so thirsty he tried to gnaw at Leo's face for comfort.

Leo felt how hot Wayne was. Even in the shade, it was sweltering. He and Anya didn't waste time-they headed out right away, carrying Wayne with them.

Once they hit the street, they grabbed a bottle of water for him. Anya could barely keep up as Wayne gulped it down.

"Wayne, come on, let me see you. Your cheeks are all sunburned—here, let your brother kiss it better,” Leo said, his heart aching.

Anya reached for Wayne too. "Chad, seriously, what made you think it was a good idea to bring a baby out in this kind of weather?"

Chad shrugged. "Old folks think a bit of sun is good for the little ones-kill some germs, you know? Your grandpa used to take Henry out in the sun, too." He paused. "But not when it's this hot. Even Hansen

thinks it's too much today.

Wayne got to enjoy a couple blissful, air-conditioned hours in the arms of his brother and sister-in-law before Molly finished work, and they drove straight to the Chade Inc. building to drop him off.

Handing Wayne over, Leo said, "Jade, you've got to keep an eye on him. If it's too much, just let Grandpa handle him. He knows what he's doing-he's got all the experience in the world."

Molly glanced at her son, who was now calm and content. "What happened?"

Later, when she found out the grandparents had taken Wayne out just to show off their great-grandson at the opera in the park, Molly sat with her mom in the car, having a real conversation about it. In spring or on a nice day, it'd be fine for the kids to go out, but with this kind of heat, it just wasn't safe. "Mom, maybe I should bring Wayne to the office? Or let Dad help out and watch him for a while?"

Her mom sighed. "If you could run things all by yourself, I'd be happily retired at

home, taking care of your kids full-time."