Page 182 of Triplet Babies for my Ex's Best Friend

Ethan, meanwhile, treats emotions like restricted airspace.

Very different systems.

By late morning, I decide we’re all leaving the penthouse before I start obsessively checking whether Ethan has texted. Oliverhas energy to burn, Captain has stolen two additional household items, and I need caffeine made by someone else.

So we head to Brewed Awakening.

Outside is crisp, the kind of Chicago morning that slides under your cardigan and reminds you the lake has opinions. Oliver skips beside me, one hand in mine, the other clutching his plane, narrating a detailed story about an emergency landing caused by “too much broccoli in the cockpit.”

“Was the broccoli the pilot?” I ask.

“No. It was cargo.”

“Of course. My mistake.”

We pass Diane in the lobby, naturally, because Diane has the supernatural ability to appear whenever anyone in the building has unresolved personal drama.

“Oh, Addy,” she says, eyes bright. “Heading out?”

“No, I’m sleepwalking with a child.”

She blinks. Then laughs like I’m charming instead of barely functional. “You look a little pale, dear.”

Amazing.

A community announcement.

“I’m fine,” I say brightly.

Diane’s gaze drops to Oliver, then back to me, then does something suspiciously speculative.

Absolutely not.

No.

We are not doing whatever that facial expression was.

“Just tired,” I add quickly.

“Of course,” she says, in a tone that suggests she has already decided I'm either ill, pregnant, or involved in a scandal.

Two out of three feels excessive, so I refuse to participate.

Oliver waves. “We’re getting muffins.”

“How lovely.”

“To stop Sunshine looking weird.”

“Thank you, Oliver. I guess I’m adopting that name permanently.”

Diane presses her lips together like she’s trying not to smile. “Children are so honest.”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

I escape before she can ask whether Ethan knows I look like death.

Brewed Awakening is warm when we step inside, smelling of coffee, sugar, toasted bread, and the exact kind of emotional stability I cannot totally afford but will absolutely purchase in beverage form.