Page 199 of Triplet Babies for my Ex's Best Friend

Then Bryce sees us. His expression shifts into something I recognize. Charm. Performance. A man stepping into a room prepared to manage its reaction.

The moment our eyes meet, irritation flares sharp and immediate.

After dinner, after Addy, after the patch situation, the last thing I want tonight is Bryce turning this into theater. Iknowhe helped me, but he must be able to see this is insane.

I hand my glass to a passing server and move toward him.

Addy follows. I’d prefer she didn’t, but I also know better than to tell her that.

Bryce smiles as we approach. “Ethan.”

“You need to leave.”

His smile falters for half a second, then recovers. “Good to see you too.”

“You weren’t invited.”

Bryce’s smile flickers briefly before settling back into place. Polished and controlled. I used to mistake that look for confidence.

Now it just feels calculated.

“I assumed after everything, you’d want to talk.”

“Your assumption was incorrect.”

His girlfriend shifts beside him, looking between us. “Bryce, maybe we should?—”

“It’s fine,” he tells her.

It isn’t.

Addy’s voice is controlled when she speaks. “You really do have a gift for walking into rooms where no one wants you.”

Bryce looks at her then. An ugliness flashes under the polish. “Addy.”

“Don’t.”

His gaze moves between us, landing briefly on my hand, which has returned to the small of her back.

His jaw tightens.

“You know,” he says, forcing a laugh, “I wasn’t expecting this whole thing to become so dramatic.”

Addy laughs once. “You blew up my life at an airport and then showed up at my boss’s house as his old friend. Dramatic seems generous.”

A few heads turn nearby.

I step slightly in front of her to shield her from the room.

Bryce notices.

“This is a public event,” I say. “You will leave quietly.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then security will escort you out.”

His smile fades properly this time. “That’s how you want to handle this?”