Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance novel Chapter 1656

“It’s so hot out.”

Anya shrugged. “I don’t mind a bit of sunburn.”

Milka looked her over, half-amused, half-envious. “Ah, to be young and fearless.”

It was midday and the heat was relentless. Not a soul on the street, barely even a car rolling by. The sun baked the road signs until they shimmered, making the world waver like a mirage.

Anya walked along with a sun umbrella and a bag of fruit. After a few minutes, she needed a break, but the first bench she tried nearly burned through her jeans. She hopped up, dusted herself off, and found another seat in the shade. There, she dug into her fruit, savoring the cool sweetness.

By the time she made it home, only one orange remained from the four she’d bought. Half a box of lychees, too. She hit the supermarket downstairs for more and lugged her bounty upstairs.

Back home, the sheets and covers she’d washed that morning were fluffed up and sun-dried on the balcony. She made the bed, took a shower, and stretched out on the sofa for a blissful nap.

Later, Leo called. “Hey, still looking for the boys? They’re both at the Cedillo place.”

After her nap, Anya headed over to the Cedillos’ to hang out with the twins.

Meanwhile, Leo was at the studio, running the weekly meeting. He moved through the agenda, all business, barely glancing at Alyna the whole time.

He’d been toughened up by a stint at Cedillo Group, sent there by his uncle. Now, sitting in Cedillo Inc.’s boardroom, he looked every inch the boss.

When the meeting finished an hour later, Leo gave out next week’s priorities, still ignoring Alyna. He walked out, and she hurried after him. “Leo, I—”

“Chunky, I’m heading out early. She’s coming to my place. Just grab a cab home; you can expense it.”

Anya rolled her eyes. “Chad, don’t start!”

They played at the gate for a while. Before leaving, Henry suddenly remembered his mom’s message. “Hey, bro, Mom says we should all have dinner—like, you, Auntie, Sis, when you’re free.”

Leo looked confused. “Wait, what?”

Anya explained, “Your mom wants to get everyone together for dinner—when you have time. Her, your aunt, me, the whole gang. It’s been ages.”

Earlier, when the boys headed out, Mia had pulled Henry aside. “Tell your brother: when he’s free, we should all get together for dinner. Me, Auntie, you, and your sister. It’s been too long.”

Henry nodded solemnly, but the details got a little scrambled by the time he delivered the message. Mia, knowing her son’s scatterbrained ways, had already filled Anya in—just in case.