Page 137 of Triplet Babies for my Ex's Best Friend

“It’s the only one that’s relevant.”

She studies me again. “If you don’t like going alone, take a date.”

“That’s not how it works.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t bring people to events like that.”

“Why?”

“Because it invites speculation.”

She shrugs. “People already speculate.”

“I don’t encourage it.”

“You existing encourages it,” she says. “You’re a rich widower with a tragic backstory. That’s basically a Netflix category.”

I almost smile.

She catches it.

“There it is,” she says. “Youcanbe human.”

“I was under the impression I already was.”

“Debatable.”

Ahead of us, Addy slows to crouch beside Oliver while Captain circles them both impatiently. Sunlight catches in her hair as she laughs at something Oliver says, and for one dangerous second, the scene looks less temporary than it should.

Luci notices exactly where my attention’s gone. “Just ask her.”

“No,” I say immediately.

Too quickly.

Her brows lift.

I force my tone back under control. “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

I don’t answer.

She raises a brow. “Because she’ll say no, or because you don’t want her to?”

That… I don’t enjoy. “She works for me.”

“That’s your favorite sentence, huh?”

“It’s a relevant one.”

“It’s a shield,” she corrects.

Silence.

She steps back. “Just think about it.”