Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance novel Chapter 1710

Soon, Leo jogged over to Anya, worry etched on his face as he bent down and dusted off her skirt. “Was it really necessary to run that fast? You nearly ran straight into traffic, you know.”

After brushing the dirt away, Leo straightened up and glanced at the teenage boy nearby.

The boy looked Leo in the eye. “Are you alright?”

He shook his head, then quietly turned away, wheeling his bike down the sidewalk.

Leo watched him go, a strange heaviness settling in his chest.

His gaze drifted back to his girlfriend. “And you—carrying Lizzy while running… Look at this little goofball.” Leo gently pinched Lizzy’s chubby cheeks. “You’re just as silly as your sister Anya.”

“Chad~”

Leo grinned and pinched Anya’s cheeks too, one soft cheek in each hand. For a moment, under the leafy shade, his heart felt so soft. Even the most stoic men would melt at the thought that flickered in Leo’s mind: someday, he and Anya would be standing here with their own little girl, and he’d be pinching both their cheeks the same way.

He beamed, completely lost in the warmth of the moment, not noticing the gloomy teenager glancing back at him with a shadowy look.

The boy turned away, pushing his bike down the street until, finally, he spotted the person he’d been waiting for.

Henry was clinging to his dad’s pant leg, eyeing the teacher who was trying to coax him into the schoolyard.

He didn’t want to go, but his parents, grandparents, and even his favorite Uncle Cooper all tried to nudge him along.

Henry stubbornly refused, so the principal gently took his little wrist and tried to lead him away. Just as he was about to burst into tears, his dad crouched down and said, “Hey, champ. Little men don’t cry.”

Henry bit his lip, torn between wanting to sob and wanting to be a “little man.”

He let go of the teacher and dove into his dad’s arms.

This time, instead of riding high on his father’s arm, Henry wrapped both pudgy arms around Andre’s neck and buried his face in his dad’s shoulder.

Andre could feel those soft, squishy cheeks pressing against his neck, his little boy clinging for all he was worth.

Everyone wanted a turn holding Henry, but he waved them all off, even his beloved Uncle Cooper.

Andre shot the others a look, quietly comforting his son.

The adults all circled around, making promises—new toys, pizza for dinner, cartoons, and Uncle Cooper’s solemn vow to help him unlock a new video game.