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.

as the two little

stay close and keep

"You know exactly what kind of relationship

We've known each other five or six years now." Romina rolled her eyes. "Who's your friend?" she muttered

a beeline for more building blocks. Uncle River had already bought him a lot, but there were still plenty of styles he didn't have. If

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

enthusiastically.

of rabbit toys at home. She

smiled. "Rabbits are

only wanted the bunny, Romina bought it for her. Maverick picked just two sets of building

everything, then picked Bethany up and headed toward the exit. "They're such well-behaved kids," she said as they stepped outside. "Most kids would've tried to

When they take the kids shopping,

the toys the kids owned were bought by