Page 226 of Triplet Babies for my Ex's Best Friend

Sophie releases her. “That would’ve created paperwork.”

“I’m willing.”

Celeste stands near the entrance like she isn’t sure whether she’s allowed to occupy space. Her hands are clasped tight in front of her, knuckles pale.

I know that posture.

I hate that I know it.

“Celeste,” I say gently. “Do you want to sit down?”

Her eyes meet mine, wary and embarrassed. “I shouldn’t.”

“You can.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispers.

The apology hurts more than I expected. Because suddenly she doesn’t look like the woman Bryce left me for. She looks like another woman Bryce has trapped inside one of his stories.

Sophie brings another chair without asking. Luci remains standing, visibly battling her desire to hate Celeste on principle. Then she sighs and sits.

“I’m still mad,” Luci announces.

Celeste gives a tiny nod. “That’s fair.”

“Good. We understand each other.”

Celeste sits carefully, like the chair might reject her.

I push the untouched hot chocolate toward her. “Here.”

She shakes her head. “I’m fine.”

“That’s what people say when they’re aggressively not fine.”

Her mouth trembles.

Oh great. Now I feel sorry for her. This is inconvenient for my villain narrative.

“I didn’t know about you,” Celeste says quietly. “Not really. He said you and he had already ended things.”

I laugh softly, without humor. “He ended things at the airport.”

Her eyes close. “He told me you were unstable.”

Luci mutters something that sounds like a murder spell.

“He loves that word,” I say.

Celeste looks at me. “He says it about me now.”

The table goes still.

Sophie’s expression softens first. “What’s been happening?”

Celeste stares at her hands. “Nothing I can explain without sounding stupid.”

“You won’t sound stupid,” I say.