Page 145 of ICED
Ollie flips a coin. “Loser buys.”
We settle on two large pizzas, three Thai curries, and a side of whatever garlic-laced madness Dylan talks the restaurant into. Murphy makes the call while I wrap my armsaround Maya from behind. She leans back into my chest, soft and warm.
“Still okay?” I ask.
She nods. “Yeah. It’s weird. I think I should be freaking out, but...”
“You’re not alone.”
She turns her face into my neck. Breathes deep. “Not anymore.”
I kiss her temple.
The doorbell rings not long after. Ollie leaps to his feet and yells, “I’ve got it!” before doing a suspiciously tactical roll into the hallway.
Maya blinks. “Did he just…?”
“He’s taking his new role very seriously.”
“What role?”
“Raptor Security Chief.”
She snorts. “Of course.”
Dinner is a mess of plastic containers, greasy pizza boxes, and shared forks. Lila steals a spring roll from Ollie’s plate and gets a round of applause. Mia opens a tin of brownies and pulls a can of pepper spray from her handbag. She kisses Dylan, hugs Maya, and settles into the chaos.
Even with the tension humming beneath everything, the room feels safe.
Full. Alive.
We’re halfway through dessert, Lila finishing off the last brownie with chocolate on her nose, when Sophie gasps.
Everyone freezes.
Sophie blinks. Puts her hand on her belly. “Uh... okay. That was new.”
Murphy bolts upright, knocking over his drink. “What?!”
She laughs, but it’s strained. “I think... I think that might have been a contraction.”
Mia’s instantly beside her. “First one?”
“Nope, been having them all day but I thought it was wind. Just... give me a second. Might be Braxton Hicks.”
Murphy is already gathering coats, bags, and what appears to be a toddler-sized car seat. “Where is the hospital bag? Who has the plan?”
“Murph,” Sophie says, breathless. “It might be a false alarm.”
“FALSE ALARMS GET YOU BABIES ON KITCHEN FLOORS!”
I blink. “That escalated.”
Ollie stands, eyes wide. “Should I boil water? Maya, where are the towels? We need towels!”
Murphy’s halfway to the front door, keys in hand, shoes on the wrong feet.
Mia grabs his elbow. “You arenotdriving. You’re vibrating like a washing machine. Give me the keys.”
