Strictly Baby Business Book 2

Peyton steps into the house, the scent of cigarettes and fresh lavender assaulting her senses. It’s a combination she’s grown to despise, a reminder of a past she’d rather forget. The memories it stirs make her stomach churn, but it also prompts her to grip Sebastian’s hand a little tighter.

“Wow, what a place,” Sebastian remarks, taking in the pristine surroundings that Peyton’s mother always insisted on. She was a stickler for order, always wanting to present a perfect image to the outside world.

Peyton can’t help but roll her eyes at the memory.

“Yeah, dear old Mom loved putting on a show,” Peyton says, exhaling deeply at the thought of having to clean out this place. But a part of her, a part she doesn’t want to admit exists, is looking forward to it. It wouldn’t be right to let strangers uncover her parents’ secrets.

“Mikayla, we need to get rid of these cigarette-stained curtains,” Peyton instructs, gesturing to the floor-to-ceiling windows draped with curtains so old, they feature in her earliest memories.

“I’ll get the handyman to come talk to you,” Mikayla replies, trailing behind Peyton and Sebastian as they make their way to the kitchen.

A kitchen designed to give the illusion of a family that gathers for warm, home-cooked meals every day.

As they enter the kitchen, Peyton is greeted by white cupboards and marble countertops. The entire house is a study in white, with splashes of color here and there. The kitchen’s accent color is black, a choice her mother always justified by saying, “It makes the yellow lemons on the counter pop.”

“What handyman?” Peyton asks Mikayla, filling the kettle with water.

“We hired a local guy to fix a few things around the house. I’ll tell him to come see you.”

Peyton nods in response, and then Mikayla leaves her and Sebastian alone in the kitchen.

While Peyton busies herself with making tea, Sebastian takes a seat at the island, watching his wife.

“Are you sure you’re okay with all this?” he asks.

Peyton turns to him, offering a reassuring smile. “I’ll let you know the moment I’m not.”

She hands Sebastian his mug, and he stares at it for a moment before looking back at Peyton.

“I was thinking we could maybe participate in the town festival?” Peyton suggests, her words warming Sebastian’s heart. He knows she’s not usually one for such events, especially when her emotions are in turmoil.

“Are you sure, honey?”

Peyton shrugs, sipping her tea. “I know the woman who organizes it, Sarah. We went to school together. I’ll ask her how we can get involved.”

Just as Peyton finishes speaking, the back door to the kitchen swings open, and a man walks in, bundled up in warm clothes and frowning at his phone. His black hair is tousled, as if he’s been running his hands through it repeatedly. Sebastian raises an eyebrow at the man when his phone rings, and he groans before answering it.

“What?”

The way Kai answers his phone has Sebastian and Peyton exchanging uncertain glances.

“Who is that?” Sebastian whispers to Peyton, who shrugs and waits for the man to finish his call.

“Whatever,” the man mutters, ending the call. He rubs his face, as if trying to make sense of something.

“Who are you?” Peyton asks, and the man turns around, startled by the sound of other voices. He freezes when he sees them. His gaze flits between the two of them, lingering on the man for a moment before settling on the woman. Something about her silver eyes seems familiar.

“Who are you?” Kai asks, his tone curt.

Peyton frowns at him. “I’m the owner of this house.”

Kai scoffs, rolling his eyes. “There’s no way you are. I knew the owners, and they’re dead, honey.”

His words prompt Sebastian to rise from his seat, but Peyton places a hand on his arm to stop him. Kai’s gaze falls on her hand, and he notices the scar in the middle of her wrist, a mark left by her father’s cigarette.

“Peyton?” he asks, surprised.

Peyton raises an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

A slow smile spreads across Kai’s face as he steps closer, running a hand through his hair. “I can’t believe it. Is it really you?” His eyes scan her from head to toe, searching for other familiar features.

When Peyton’s lips press into a thin line, Kai knows he’s right. He steps forward, pulling her into a hug. The feeling of holding her again is intoxicating, and he can’t help but laugh. But his laughter is cut short when a strong hand grabs his shoulder and pulls him away.

“Start talking,” Sebastian demands, pulling Kai away from his wife. He fights the urge to slam the man’s face into the counter.

Kai’s eyes shift from Sebastian to Peyton before he speaks, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Don’t worry,” he says, waving Sebastian off before turning back to Peyton. “Don’t you remember me?”

Peyton stares at him for a moment before shaking her head. “Sorry, I don’t.” She tries to see if looking at him jogs her memory, but it doesn’t.

“It’s me, Kai,” he says, but Peyton still looks clueless. Then, recognition slowly dawns on her face. Kai, the one she found hardest to leave behind.

Without a word, she steps forward and hugs him, hoping the embrace conveys all the words she can’t say. She wants him to know how sorry she is, and that she remembers him.

“Kai Williams,” Peyton says, and Kai’s smile widens. His heart is pounding faster than it has in years.

“Peyton, it’s been so long.” He moves in for another hug but is interrupted by Sebastian clearing his throat.

Peyton suppresses a laugh as she turns to Sebastian. “Sorry, honey. Kai, this is my husband, Sebastian. Bash, this is Kai, an old… friend.”