Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance novel Chapter 1576

Conner came clean about getting his butt kicked, but of course, he couldn’t just admit it. “Honestly, I could’ve won. I was just pulling a stunt, playing the victim on purpose.”

Right on cue, Mr. Nettleton’s assistant piped up from behind him. “Boss, that was some performance. You sold it so well you landed yourself in the hospital for over two weeks. We almost lost everything while you were out.”

Mr. Nettleton shot him a glare. “What, you want a sick day or are you just asking to be fired?”

The assistant just grinned. “Getting fired sounds good to me.”

Conner pointed at the door, and the assistant slipped out quick. Mr. Nettleton muttered under his breath, “Can’t you see Annie and I are having a moment? Why do you insist on being the third wheel?”

Then he wrapped his arm tighter around Annie, who was still reeling from what she’d just heard. “So, that night at the banquet, when you said you fell for me at first sight—was that just a line?”

Mr. Nettleton hesitated, his voice softening. “Half true, half not. You really did look amazing that night. That white dress—yeah, I couldn’t look away.”

Annie barely remembered the banquet herself. She’d been too busy sneaking lollipops, only for her mom to snatch them away. “Honey, things have changed. The Martin family can’t protect you anymore. We need to find you someone who can.”

“Mom, I can take care of myself. I’m a cop, remember?”

Annie tried to walk away, but Mr. Nettleton’s eyes were still on her.

“Annie, you haven’t changed at all. You looked the same at seventeen as you do now. I’d recognize you anywhere.” He’d known who she was from the very first moment.

But because of his pride—and the embarrassing story of getting knocked down—he never admitted it to anyone. To everyone else, it was always, “I fell for Annie at first sight.”

It was hard for Annie to believe, but her memory didn’t lie.

That night, she lay in bed, still in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Maja made up her mind to work as a cemetery keeper.

Maja insisted Annie go back down. “You’re in your third trimester. Don’t be climbing up here—it’s cold, and you don’t want to catch a chill. Go on, get home. I’ll come see you next time I’m in town.”

“If you need anything, just tell me. I’ll bring it to you.” Annie barely had time to say goodbye before Maja shooed her off.

On the way down the mountain, Conner was unusually quiet.

He’d snuck off while the sisters were talking to look at Emmery’s grave. The place was clearly well-tended; he didn’t even have to ask who took care of it.

“Annie, can I ask you something?” Conner finally broke the silence. “Do you think your sister and Dean could ever happen?”

“That’s ancient history. Dean’s been staying home lately. I think he’s finally starting to move on.”

Conner scratched his head, looking uneasy. Annie narrowed her eyes at him, suspicious. “Why are you asking about this all of a sudden?”