Page 306 of Steamy Ever After

“Me or the baby?”

“Both.”

“Better now that you’ve delivered whatever food is waiting in the room.”

“I didn’t bring any today.”

“You’re a liar. I can smell it.”

“No, you can’t.”

“Pregnancy superpower. You can smell deep-dish pizza from miles away.”

Alex’s eyes opened wide. “Damn. That is a superpower.”

Peyton watched as a funny look flashed across Alex’s face. The same one as the other night.

Maddox shifted on his feet. “Time to go check on my baby brother. Alex, can you get Peyton back to the room okay?” Before she had a chance to answer, he held up his hands. “I was just being polite. I know you can.”

He knelt down and kissed Peyton’s forehead.

“I’ll see you later, sister.” Maddox walked down the hall and turned near the bank of elevators.

“What’s with the two of you?” Peyton asked.

“It’s weird right now.”

“Does it have anything to do with the freaky expressions I see on your face sometimes?”

“Like when?”

“Like now, with the aroma superpower.”

“Ready?” Alex released the lock on the wheelchair and pushed Peyton toward her room.

“Alex?”

“Yes?”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“Not yet.”

“Bet it’s going to feel good to sleep in your own bed,” her mom said, tucking her in after she was released from the hospital.

“It is, although this isn’t my bed.”

She fluffed her pillows and opened the bedroom window. “It used to be.”

“Actually, it didn’t. This was my bedroom, but this is a new bed.”

When her mom straightened the books on the nightstand for the second time, Peyton put her hand on her mother’s arm.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, Peyton.” Her mom sat down and put her face in her hands.

“Are you crying?” Peyton tried to pull her mother’s hands away, but she wouldn’t budge. “You’re scaring me.”

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