Page 138 of Triplet Babies for my Ex's Best Friend

Then she turns, jogging ahead to catch up with Addy and Oliver, as if the conversation never happened.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Addy

“I still thinkyou should come back with me,” Luci says for the third time, leaning against the counter with a coffee she absolutely didn't need given her current energy levels. “I know here's fine, but I have a spare room, and I don’t want to say goodbye…”

“I’m not running,” I remind her.

“I didn’t say running. I said strategically relocating to avoid drama.”

“Which is running,” I say.

“Semantics.”

Oliver is halfway under the table with Captain, attempting to convince him that socks are a form of currency. Ethan is standing near the window, already dressed for work, watching the entire scene with that quiet, observant stillness he does so well.

Luci follows my gaze.

Then she leans closer, lowering her voice. “He asked you to the gala?”

“Yes.”

“And you didn’t immediately say yes. I still can’t believe it.”

“I told him I'd think about it.”

She stares at me.

“It’s complicated.”

She snorts. “Everything with you is complicated.”

Before I can argue, she pulls me into a hug. “Don’t disappear on me.”

“I won’t.”

She kisses my cheek, ruffles Oliver’s hair, declares Captain “emotionally dependent,” and then she’s gone.

The apartment feels quieter immediately.

I’m still adjusting to it when Ethan says, “You’re off today.”

I look at him. “I am?”

“I arranged coverage for Oliver.”

I blink. “Why?”

He picks up his keys. “Because we’re going out.”

A prickle of suspicion crawls up my spine. “...Is this about the gala?”

“Yes.”

“I said I’d think about it.”

“You have.”