Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance novel Chapter 1609

Even after Leo brought Anya back home, he’d still find excuses to drive over to Willowtown every week or so, just to see her. He’d stay the night, then rush back the next morning, pretending he had pressing business but fooling absolutely no one.

Back at home, Blake’s mornings were all about his big sister. The minute he woke up, he’d toddle straight out of the nursery—diaper drooping, hair a mess—on a mission to find Anya. His nanny would hurry after him, always just a step behind. “Master Blake, let’s get you changed!” she’d call, but he’d ignore her, determined that only Anya could do the job.

Blake wouldn’t eat unless he was squeezed right up next to Anya at the table. If she stepped outside, he’d be at her heels, no matter what. Leo, playing the teasing brother-in-law, would watch the little shadow trailing Anya everywhere. He’d rile Blake up with jokes until the kid was on the verge of tears—then, with a smirk, he’d hand him back to Anya.

“Blake’s nowhere near as tough as Henry,” Leo would say, half-laughing. “I used to toss Henry around, spin him like a top, and he’d just giggle and beg for more.”

Anya would just shake her head, grinning. “That’s because Henry’s gotten into so much trouble at home, he’s built up a thick skin.”

“Getting in trouble proves he’s tough,” Leo grinned, refusing to admit defeat.

Meanwhile, Molly kept the family group chat busy with photos from her outings. Most of her selfies featured Wayne bawling in her arms while she smiled at the camera, totally unfazed. Chad and his wife snapped cheerful photos together, both of them all bright smiles and easy joy.

That night at the hotel, Wayne and Henry were on a video call, soon joined by James, turning it into a full-blown brotherly pow-wow. Anya handed her phone off to her little brother and sprawled on the bed, trying to wrangle her thesis into shape.

Molly, still in her pajamas and with her face mask on, sauntered out of the bathroom and made a beeline for Chad, dropping herself into his lap and nestling against him. “Chad, am I pretty?” she teased.

Chad barely glanced away from the news on his phone before setting it aside. He wrapped one arm around her waist, the other resting on her thigh, his smile slow and melting. “You’re gorgeous.”

He leaned in, lips brushing her neck, fingers disappearing under her robe, mouth trailing heat along her collarbone—

Molly’s breath hitched. She pressed a hand to his cheek, holding him back before things could get too carried away. “Chad, not now—I still have my face mask on,” she whispered, her voice unsteady.

Later, Molly lay sprawled across the bed, completely spent. She waved a limp hand in Chad’s direction. “Your turn now. I’m out of commission.”

Chad, looking wholly satisfied, pulled on his pajamas and padded to the door. “Sweetie, Daddy’s making you some milk,” he called out.

Wayne was waiting in the hallway, clutching his now-dead phone. “Daddy, it’s gone.”

Chad, already at the water cooler mixing formula, called back, “Plug it in, buddy. It’ll be fine by morning.”

That night, Molly dragged herself out of bed, restless and unable to sleep until she’d finally washed her face clean.