Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Fortunately, as the boss, all he had to do in meetings was listen to his team give their updates—no need for him to say much at all.

Mia called out for ages, but still, nobody showed. "Henry, dinner's ready! Come eat!" she yelled. Still nothing. Mia sighed, half-amused, half-exasperated. "What's he doing, hiding out in some secret cave again?"

That morning, Molly got a call telling her she'd have to head back to work. So much for her lazy days-time to say goodbye to relaxing at home.

Wayne had gotten so used to someone holding his hand that he wouldn't take a step if Mom or Dad didn't lead him. But when they held on, he'd toddle along, steady as could be.

So, Molly's big mission for the day was to teach her little boy how to walk on his

own.

Meanwhile, after hearing what his parents were discussing, Leo realized they actually had a point. He hadn't even left the underground parking lot before he turned the car around and drove straight back home.

He knocked at the door, and Naomi answered, looking surprised. "Leo, you're back already?"noveldrama

"Hey Mom, why don't you come check out my campus with me? You've never seen my university, have you?"

Leo was a little worried his mom would get bored just hanging around the house, so he whisked her off to his college for a change of scenery.

Naomi wandered the campus by herself, watching all the students with their bright eyes and boundless energy. She smiled at their youth, but also felt a little pang remembering her own younger days.

Leo hung back, quietly watching his mom's face shift from quiet smiles to soft sighs. He wondered, "Is she really hitting menopause?"

He quickly called his girlfriend. "Hey, babe, what time are you done with class this afternoon?"

Anya: "What's up, Chad?"

Leo: "I brought my aunt to campus. When you finish up, could you come keep her company? It'd be nice for her to have someone to talk to."

He was a guy, after all-certain feelings just slipped past him, and his mom probably wouldn't open up to him anyway.

Anya agreed right away. "Of course, Chad! I'll come over as soon as I'm done."

By four o'clock, Anya hurried to the university and found Naomi strolling by herself along a shaded path. "Aunt Naomi!"

She jogged over, and Naomi's face immediately broke into a smile. "You're here, sweetie! What brings you?"

"I'm here to pick Chad up from class," Anya grinned.

Naomi laughed. "He's a grown man! He should be picking you up!"

"It's a two-way street. Chad picks me up all the time," Anya said, then spotted a cozy little restaurant nearby. "Aunt Naomy that place has the best roast wraps. Let's grab one!"

Anya dragged Naomi inside, bought them both wraps, and they wandered the campus as they ate. "I know this place like my own backyard. Let me show you around!"

They headed down to the lake,

where Anya pointed out the fish. She told Naomi how Chad never let her try to catch them because the school would actually fine you for it.

At the old gazebo, Anya wrinkled her nose. "It's so old and tiny. Chad says this thing is older than my grandpa Hansen."

Standing there, Anya pointed around. "That red brick building? That's where Chad has class. The white one? That's where he works. And over there..."

Naomi turned, curious. "Anya, what exactly does Leo do for work?"

Anya bit her lip, looking a little sheepish. "Well, he doesn't really want me telling anyone. Not even family. He says he doesnt want you all worrying or asking too many questions."

Naomi just smiled. "As long as Leo's doing honest work and you know what's going on, that's all I need."

She trusted her son completely.

They hung out at the gazebo for a while, soaking up the view, when Leo texted Anya: "Hey, you two go get dinner together. I need to stop by my dad's office."

Anya took another bite of her wrap and messaged back, "Chad, we just ate." "Then eat again."