Love at First Novel by Gu Lingfei

Romina led River and the kids to the street across from where they had been. As she had said, that street was lined with stationery and toy stores.

She brought them straight to the biggest toy store on the block. The place was packed— parents with kids everywhere, browsing toys and shelves bursting with color.

"Baby, pick whatever toys you like," Romina said to Maverick with a smile. "Aunt Romina's buying for you and your sister."

She gently set Bethany down and took her tiny hand in hers.

Maverick glanced up at River.

River grinned. "Why are you looking at me? If your Aunt Romina wants to be generous, go ahead and pick more. It's not every day she opens her wallet this wide."

Romina shot him a look. "When have I ever been stingy? The last time I went shopping with you, didn't I buy a ton of stuff for them?"

"Sure, you're generous with them-but you're super stingy when it comes to me," River replied, his tone just a little bitter.

little ones excitedly explored the

close

exactly what kind of relationship we have, don't

lightly. "In business, we're competitors. But when we're not talking shop, I'd say we're... friends. We've known each other five

lot, but there were still plenty of styles he didn't have. If Aunt Romina was buying, it would be

from one thing to another before finally settling on a soft rabbit doll with an irresistibly smooth texture. "Belle, is this all you want?"

enthusiastically. "Rabbit!

toys at home. She really loves them. She always

smiled. "Rabbits are

Romina bought it for her.

headed toward the exit. "They're such well-behaved kids," she said as they stepped outside. "Most kids would've tried to grab the

the kids shopping, they only let them pick one or two toys at

most of the toys the kids owned were bought