Page 304 of Steamy Ever After

Alex peeked her head in Peyton’s door. “Safe to come in?”

“God, yes. I’m starving.”

“Good. I was afraid Mad might’ve ruined your appetite.”

“Not a chance.” Peyton looked behind Alex. “Where are my boys?”

“Right here.” Finn walked under Alex’s arm and over to the bed. Jamison followed and sat on the other side of her.

“When will the baby come out of your tummy?” Finn rested his hand on her stomach.

“Sometime in December. Maybe she’ll be a Christmas baby.”

“Really? That would kind of suck,” said Jamison.

“Why, Jamie?” Peyton asked.

“Cuz then she’d only get presents once a year.”

“But she’d get twice as many presents, right, Mom?”

Peyton pulled Finn closer to her. “That’s right. We’ll make sure she never forgets how special she is to us.”

“We could give her presents every day.”

“That’s stupid,” Jamison said to his brother.

Alex held her hand out to him.

“What?”

“Stupid. That’s a bad word. Hand over some of that money, cowboy.”

“Stupid isn’t a bad word. Right, Mom?”

“If Alex says it is, it is. Pay up, buddy.” Peyton looked over at her friend. “See what a good mom you’re going to be?”

Peyton didn’t like the look that flashed across Alex’s face. She’d try to remember to ask her about it once her parents took the boys home.

Peyton shifted in the small hospital bed and knocked over the pitcher of water on the bed tray. The icy cold water hit her legs, and she shrieked.

“Here.” Maddox came out of the bathroom holding a bunch of towels. He tossed two at her while he stopped the flow of cold water dripping onto her from the edge of the tray.

“Maddox? What are you doing here?” she asked once they had the watery mess cleaned up.

“I came down to talk, but you were asleep, so I’ve been sitting here, watching you.” He smiled, but was obviously embarrassed.

“Alex calls Naughton the dark and broody Scottish guy.”

“Yeah? Does she call me the creeper?”

“She hasn’t, but after I tell her this story, she’ll probably start.”

Maddox laughed. “I like you, Peyton. Not very many people can hold their own against Alex Avila, but I bet you give her as much shit as she gives you.”

“We’ve been friends a long time.”

“She’s not one for hanging out with people she doesn’t like.”

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