Page 55 of Baby Me

“Wait, you’re not cooking today.” Cameron shook his head as if I’d just crossed a line he clearly marked withred.

“Why not? We’ve been planning this for weeks and you may as well find out, I’ve cookedbefore.”

Why was he acting sostrange?

“Yeah, but for twenty. That’s a lot of work. I don’t want you to gettired.”

“I’m not the only one here, Cam. My mom’s here, and so’s yours. We’ll all becooking.”

“Yeah, like Madame Mary over there is going to do any work around here. She’ll likely call on her own servants to come and saveher.”

“What’s going on with you?” I asked. “You’re beingrude.”

“Nothing. It’s just been a hardmorning.”

“The doctor said you could experience PTSD symptoms after the coma. Is thatit?”

“It’s not PTSD,baby.”

“Why do you suddenly look so pale, Cam? Here, take a seat, drink somejuice.”

Just as I passed Cameron a glass of orange juice, shaking my head, Jax walked in with a takeout order. “Anyone forsushi?”

“We’re supposed to be cooking Christmas dinner today, pumpkin.” A red-headed bombshell followed him into the room. Her matching pajama set almost exposed her behind and barely kept her topcovered.

“Who are you?” Cameronasked.

“Come on, brother. Don’t be rude. This is Cindy, and she’s spending the holidays with the family.” Jax gently slapped her behind and she jumped up,giggling.

“Okay, fine.” Cameron waved his hand as Jax set out plates for the sushi and began unwrapping the containers. “Just make sure she has more clothes on when Sophie’saround.”

Jax ignored him passing me a plate which Cameron grabbed, saying, “None for us, thank you. I made a delicious and healthy breakfast for you, all organically grown vegetables and freshly baked bread. Marianne was kind enough to make that forus.”

“All right, all right. Let’s eat the breakfast. Do you have some of that Canadian maple syrup? I’ve been craving it ever since I had the pancakes at thediner.”

“I don’t think we have that particular one, but I can run out and get some foryou.”

“Never mind. Found it.” I removed the bottle from the fridge and poured a spoonful of the sweet goo for myself, then stuck another spoon in my mouth, sucking on it. I froze when I saw Cameron staring at me with his wideeyes.

“You’re already having cravings?” heasked.

“What do you mean ‘already’? I just told you I’ve been craving this since the last time I had it at thediner.”

“Right. That’s what I meant. Here, have a seat. Can I get you some eggs? They say they’re a good source of protein. And you should probably have somemilk.”

“All right, Cam. What’s going on with you? You’re acting weird.” I sat down at the table beside him and watched as he plated mybreakfast.

“Weirdhow?”

“Weird like I want to slap youweird.”

“I’m sorry. It’s a big day today, and I’m nervous.” He poured some hot water into a steaming teacup. Its jasmine and lemon aroma floated upward on the steam, and I wiggled my nose, wondering how I could get to that coffeepot.

“Is it because our families are spending Christmas together?” I askedhim.

“Yeah,that.”

Our gazes flew toward the door. Sophie held a stuffed animal in one hand and Brook’s palms in theother.

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