Page 131 of Triplet Babies for my Ex's Best Friend

A second later, Ethan appears in the doorway.

And because my nervous system remains committed to embarrassing me, I notice everything at once. Dark coat, loosened tie, slight tiredness around the eyes. That controlled posture of his somehow looks even more dangerous when he’s exhausted.

“Hi,” I say.

“Good evening.”

There it is again. That voice. That impossible calm that always sounds like he’s one sentence away from either issuing an instruction or doing something regrettable.

Oliver races in. “Dad, Luci’s coming.”

“So I’ve been told.”

The door buzzer sounds before either of us can say anything else.

Captain loses his mind.

Oliver yells, “I’ll get it!”

“You absolutely won't,” I call, already moving.

When I open the door, Luci barrels in like she’s been released from containment. “Addy!”

She drops a bag, throws herself at me, and nearly knocks me back a full step with the force of her hug.

“Okay,” I wheeze. “That’s enough. I enjoy oxygen.”

“No, you don’t.” She pulls back just enough to look at me properly. “Oh shit, you look hot and stressed. Love that.”

Before I can answer, she spots Ethan over my shoulder… and pauses, taking him in.

“Well,” she says at full volume, “that's unfortunately a very handsome man.”

“Luci,” I hiss.

“What?” She turns to Ethan with perfect shamelessness. “Hi. I’m the sister.”

“I gathered,” Ethan says dryly.

To his credit, he looks almost amused.

Luci marches right up to him and holds out a hand. “Lucinda Clarke. But only teachers and tax documents call me that.”

He takes her hand. “Ethan Strong.”

“I know.”

“Luci,” I say again, with warning this time.

She ignores me completely. “You look exactly like someone my sister shouldn't be living with.”

Ethan glances at me. “That seems reasonable.”

I close my eyes briefly.

Oliver, traitor to my peace, chooses that exact moment to throw himself into Luci’s orbit. “You brought snacks?”

She gasps and drops instantly into a crouch. “Tiny king. Of course I brought snacks.”