Page 136 of Triplet Babies for my Ex's Best Friend

“That’s not a no.”

Normally, this is where I would end the conversation entirely.

The only reason I don’t is because she’s Addy’s sister, and because, despite the interrogation tactics, there’s nothing malicious in her curiosity. Just protectiveness sharpened into blunt force.

She shoves her hands into her jacket pockets. “She likes you too, you know.”

I look at her. “That’s not helpful.”

“It’s extremely helpful,” she says. “You’re just choosing not to use the information.”

“That’s not how I operate.”

“No,” she agrees. “You overthink everything until it becomes emotionally constipated.”

I stop walking.

She stops too, turns to face me. She’s been waiting for that.

“Wow,” she says. “That really hit something.”

I exhale slowly. “This is inappropriate.”

“Which part?” she asks. “The part where you’re clearly into each other, or the part where you’re pretending you’re not?”

“She works for me.”

“You slept with her.”

I should’ve anticipated that Addy’s sister would possess absolutely no respect for privacy.

My jaw tightens before I can stop it. “That’s not relevant.”

Luci laughs immediately. “Oh, wow. You’re in deep.”

“You ask extremely invasive questions.”

Luci smiles brightly. “Thank you.”

I stare at her, genuinely reconsidering whether continuing this walk was a mistake. “I’m not in deep.”

She tilts her head. “You say that like it’s going to become true.” She watches me for another beat. “So what’s the thing youactuallycare about? What makes you have that look on your face?”

I narrow my eyes. “There’s no look, and it’s certainly not related to anyone. It’s more…” I scramble for the first thing I can think of that changes the subject. “The stupid work gala coming up.”

She nods. “You hate it?”

“Yes. I hate going alone. But I still go, even without Megan.”

“If you don’t like it, don’t go.”

I ignore how easy she makes that sound. “I have to.”

“Why?”

“It matters.”

“That’s not a real answer.”