Crazy in Chicago by Norah-Jean Perkin Page B

great.”
    â€œWonderful.” Her glowing smile told the tale. “But tiring. I haven’t had a lot of sleep since she was born ten days ago.”
    â€œI can sympathize. I haven’t been sleeping too well lately either.”
    Roberta glanced at Cody as he rubbed his chin. He didn’t look any more rested than he had the day before. She wondered if he’d slept much last night. She hadn’t, something she refused to attribute to anything but her excitement over discovering that a potential alien abductee lived next door to her.
    â€œThat’s what you get for your wicked lifestyle,” Allie teased. She paused, and her smile turned to a frown. “It is that, isn’t it?”
    Cody shook his head. “I’d like to say it was, but you know as well as I do the state of my social life. No, I haven’t slept more than an hour or two each night for a week or longer. I haven’t got a clue why.”
    Allie’s frown deepened. She telegraphed a look Roberta couldn’t interpret at Erik, then focused on Cody again. “Is something bothering you?”
    Cody laughed. To Roberta it sounded strained. “Of course not. Anyway, I didn’t come here to talk about how tired I am. I came to see this famous baby you keep telling me about. What did you decide to call her?”
    â€œStar. Star Christina Berenger.”
    Entranced by the name, Roberta leaned forward. “Is your daughter named after someone in your family?”
    Erik spoke. “Not really.” He looked down at the tiny pink bundle in his arms. Slowly his expression softened, and his eyes shone with a tenderness and pride all the more surprising for his previous impassiveness. Some of the feeling remained when he directed his gaze at Roberta. “In a way, she was a wish come true, reminding us of everything we shared.”
    The simple, romantic statement bowled Roberta over. She looked at Erik with new regard. How wrong first impressions could be.
    â€œI hope you like what I brought her,” Cody said, nudging the gift bag forward with his foot. “The girl in Neiman Marcus’s baby wear told me this is de rigeur for today’s stylish baby.”
    Allie laughed and reached for the bag. She pulled out the pink and white teddy bear, and then a denim-like sleeper, with a matching blue jeans jacket studded with metallic stars. She held up the jacket and chuckled. “I’d better watch it. She’s going to be better dressed than I am. This is great, Cody. Thanks.”
    â€œCan I hold her?” Roberta couldn’t resist asking.  
    Erik nodded, and Roberta rose and took the sleeping child. She cuddled it close to her body and looked down into the tiny face. Black eyelashes dusted the pink cheeks and rosebud lips pressed together in an unconscious smile.
    â€œShe’s beautiful,” Roberta cooed, oblivious to everyone around her. She rocked the child, then looked up at Erik and Allie. “You must be so happy. What a wonderful daughter.”
    Allie glowed. Even the dour Erik looked pleased. Roberta turned to Cody. “Come and look at her. It’ll be love at first sight.”
    Cody ambled to Roberta’s side and peered down at at the baby. For a fleeting moment Roberta thought how wonderful it must be to have the man you loved at your side and the child you’d made together in your arms.
    Cody whistled softly. “She’s a real looker.” He winked at Allie. “Just like her mother.”
    â€œHere, you hold her.” Roberta held the baby out to Cody.
    He stepped back. “I don’t think so. I’m not . . .”
    â€œJust for a moment. Holding a baby is one of the joys of life,” Roberta persisted. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”
    â€œHold her,” Allie chimed in. “You’re not going to hurt her.”
    Cody’s stance shouted reluctance, but he agreed. “All right. But I told