Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Annie's face scrunched up. "Wait, Asher? As in the Asher who built his own army overseas?"

"Yep, that's the one! Annie, you want to go after him? I can help you go

undercover."

Annie looked alarmed. "No way, I'm just a small-town cop. I've never had ambitions to go down in history."

Conner squeezed Annie's hand with a confident grin. "Doesn't matter. If you want to make history, I'll make sure it's written."

"You better not! Conner, you need to be the good guy here, or the engagement's off."

Conner frowned, "Come on, Annie, give me a break. Something a little easier?"

"Alright then, can you just be a decent person?"

Conner chuckled, "Of course."

As he spoke, he tried to pull her in for a hug and a kiss, but she swiftly opened the car door, "I'm heading home."

Conner pulled her back in and shut the door in one smooth move.

"Drive."noveldrama

The driver perked up at the command and got in, "Boss, where to?"

"To Harry Rayner's food stand."

That's how Annie ended up being taken to a dimly lit neighborhood in the dead of night. She'd heard it used to be a rough spot. "I'm not going."

"What are you worried about? Officially, you're a cop; messing with you would be

a crime. Unofficially, with me around, who'd dare lay a finger on you?" Conner said with a fierce edge, then added, "Well, except me."

Annie: "......"

As she tried to make a break for it, Conner grabbed her and led her inside.

A few steps in, Annie began to see signs of

convene a late-night salon, ane

convenience store still open, a little nail shop, and some small clothing stores...

When they reached an alley, Conner called out to the busy Old Andre, "Hey Harry,

two bowls of dumpling soup, please."

"Little Conner, long time no see." Old Andre beamed. "And who's this?" He

hesitated to guess.

"My fiancée, Annie."

Annie nodded, taking in the mismatched stools like the ones Henry had, and the folding tables.

Conner sat down, "Annie, have a seat."

As Harry prepared the soup, he said, "Heard

Gartin the kids you're marrying

the

Martin family's second daughter. Guess it's true."

"She'd already be hitched if Maja hadn't gone AWOL," Conner grumbled, then

yelled, "Uncle, make ours without chili."

Annie chimed in, "I can handle spicy."

Conner replied, "Uncle's chili is homemade and crazy hot. Try a bit first."

Harry smiled as he served Annie's soup. Soon, two steaming bowls were on the table.

When Annie reached for the chili,

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Conner, resting his wrist on his knee, watched her add a spoonful. She took a sip turned bright red, and started coughing. Conner grabbed a drink, opened it, and handed it to her, "Told you it was wicked spicy."

Annie hadn't expected it to be so hot; her tongue was on fire. "It's really spicy."

Conner swapped her spicy bowl with his non-spicy one, "Next time, go easy on it. Taste it first."

Annie's eyes watered from the heat, "Conner, don't eat that. It's way too spicy."