Page 225 of Triplet Babies for my Ex's Best Friend

I hate it.

I hate him looking there.

I hate that I feel exposed, like he has reached across the room and touched something sacred with dirty hands.

“Is it his?” Bryce asks.

The room detonates.

Luci lunges.

Sophie catches her around the waist with impressive speed for a woman holding a pastry plate.

“I will end you!” Luci snaps.

Bryce laughs, but it’s ugly. “That didn’t take long.”

I feel every drop of blood leave my face. Then heat replaces it. Rage. Beautiful. Clarifying. Much better than nausea.

“You don’t get to speak about me like that,” I say.

His expression flickers.

Good.

“You don’t get to come into my life, lie to me, cheat on me, abandon me in an airport, parade her around like a prize, showup at Ethan’s home, crash his gala, and then act like I owe you a polite conversation.”

Celeste flinches at the wordprize.

Bryce notices and scowls. “This is pathetic.”

“You would know,” Luci says.

He turns toward the door. “Come on, Celeste.”

Celeste doesn’t move.

Bryce stops. “Celeste.” She looks down at the floor. “I said come on.”

There it is again. That tone. Familiar in a way that makes my skin prickle. The tone of a man who thinks love means obedience.

Celeste swallows. “I think I’ll stay for a minute.”

His face changes. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“She said she’s staying,” Sophie says quietly.

Bryce looks around the café, realizing people are watching now. Really watching. Phones not out, but close. Chicago loves coffee, but Chicago also loves a public downfall.

His jaw flexes. “Fine.” He steps close to Celeste, lowering his voice, but not enough. “Don’t make this worse.”

She doesn’t answer.

Then he storms out, the bell over the door ringing violently behind him.

For several seconds, no one speaks.

Then Luci exhales. “I regret not biting him.”