Love at First Novel by Gu Lingfei

Mrs. Ormond grinned. "I'm not built for the cold, so I'll skip the walk. Think I'll head upstairs for a nap. You and your brother eat breakfast, then get to school. Focus in class, and don't mess around."

Angelo nodded, dead serious. He was still in senior kindergarten-no real pressure yet.

Alonzo, in first grade, didn't have it rough either. The only heat came from the family's skyhigh expectations-piling on skills for the boys to master.

After Mrs. Ormond trudged upstairs, Angelo zipped back to the kitchen.

Tatum had just pulled little bunny cakes from the oven. He plated two, handed them to Angelo, and smiled. “Here, try these your bunny snacks, fresh and hot. Careful, don't burn yourself."

Angelo beamed, grabbing the plate. "Thanks, Brother Tatum!"

He carried it to the dining room, plopped down, and admired the lifelike bunnies. Too cute to scarf down fast, he nibbled slowly, savoring every bite. Still, two tiny cakes barely scratched the itch.

clomped downstairs soon

from her run, strolled

boys

flashed a smile. "Alonzo, look at you-up on your own today. No dragging required." Alonzo's cheeks went pink from the

Angelo jumped in, claiming his props. Elora's

with two breakfast plates, locking eyes

ready," he

the kids, they kept it low-key-no

"mm-hmm," let her brothers dig in, and headed upstairs to

disappear earlier. She'd grilled him in the kitchen-asked if he was

answered his future mother-in-law straight-up: dead serious