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

stay close and keep an eye

what kind of relationship we have, don't act

shop, I'd say we're... friends. We've known each other five or six years now." Romina rolled her eyes. "Who's your

there were still plenty of styles he didn't have. If Aunt Romina was buying, it would be rude not to pick

to another before finally settling on a

enthusiastically. "Rabbit!

of rabbit toys at home. She really loves them. She always hugs one to

"Rabbits are

it for her. Maverick picked just two

picked Bethany up and headed toward the exit. "They're such well-behaved kids," she said as

and sister-in-law are strict. When they take the kids shopping, they only let them pick one

the kids owned