Page 295 of Steamy Ever After

“Can you tell if it’s a boy or a girl?” Alex asked.

“Not yet. Closer to twenty weeks for us to know for sure.”

Peyton didn’t need the doctor to tell her that either. She was certain she was having a daughter.

After her appointment, Peyton waited out front in a wheelchair while Alex went to get her car. The sun felt warm on her face, and she let her eyes drift closed.

“Peyton?”

When she opened her eyes, Sorcha Butler stood in front of her. She knelt down, and Peyton’s eyes filled with tears.

“Peyton, why are you here?”

Alex pulled up, saw Sorcha, and jumped out of the car.

“Ready, sweetie?” She wheeled Peyton toward the car, leaving Brodie’s mom without an answer.

Alex closed Peyton’s door and turned back. “We’ll talk later, okay?”

“Alex?” Laird Butler approached and saw Peyton sitting in the car. “Is she okay?”

“She’s okay, but I need to get her home. I’ll stop by later.”

Peyton rolled down the window and motioned for Alex to come closer. “Invite them to the house, if Mrs. Butler feels up to it.”

“Are you sure?”

Peyton nodded and rolled the window up.

Neither spoke on the ride back. Alex came around to help Peyton out of the car, and she swatted her.

“I’m fine, Alex. I’m having a baby. I’m not paralyzed, for God’s sake.”

Alex had her hand over her mouth, and Peyton expected her to bitch at her or cry, as she was prone to do lately. Instead, Alex laughed.

“What?” Peyton laughed too.

“It’s good to see Peyton-the-bitch again. I hate the milquetoast version of you.”

“Milquetoast? What the hell is milquetoast? Although it sounds kind of good. Like toast and warm milk?”

“Hungry too? I’m so happy right now.”

“What possessed me to invite Brodie’s parents over?”

“You did what?” Peyton’s mom came out the front door of the house.

“I need to tell them, Mom. Seriously, they deserve to know.”

“I wondered.”

Peyton looked at Alex. “But she didn’t say anything. She never says anything.”

“Don’t complain. Spend a week with my mom, and you’ll realize how good you have it.”

“Yeah!” Her mom fist-pumped the air, which only made Alex and Peyton laugh harder. “Did I hear you say you’re hungry?” her mom asked.

“Starving. Can you make me some toast? And add warm milk?”

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