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.

watched as the two little ones excitedly explored the store.

to stay close

back to River. "You know exactly what

We've known each other

River had already bought him a lot, but there were still plenty of styles he didn't have. If Aunt Romina was buying, it would be rude not to pick a few

everything. She flitted from one thing to another before finally settling on a soft rabbit doll with an irresistibly smooth texture.

enthusiastically. "Rabbit!

said, "My sister has a ton of rabbit toys at home. She really loves them. She always

"Rabbits are

bunny, Romina bought it for her. Maverick picked just

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

Maverick's hand. "My brother and sister-in-law are strict. When they take the kids shopping, they only let

the toys the kids owned were bought by their