Page 249 of Triplet Babies for my Ex's Best Friend

I walk out before I can change my mind.

Ethan’s office door is slightly open. His voice stops as I approach. Then he says, “Send it to Jeffrey. Nothing goes live until I approve it.” A pause. “No, Sara. Not tonight.” Another pause. “I understand what Malden wants. Malden can want quietly.”

Despite everything, my mouth almost twitches.

Then he ends the call.

I knock lightly.

He looks up, and the exhaustion on his face eases. “Addy.”

“I need to talk to you.”

Immediately, he stands. That almost makes me cry again. “Are you all right?”

“No.”

His whole body stills. “Physically?”

“Yes.”

The relief is visible, brief, then buried. “Come in.”

I do, but I don’t sit. If I sit, I might fold. “I can’t work for you anymore.”

The words come out fast.

Too fast.

His expression doesn’t change immediately. Then stress tightens around his eyes. “I know.”

That derails me. “You know?”

“Yes. I knew you’d say that.”

“Oh.” I frown. “Well, I had a speech.”

“You can still give it.”

I shake my head. “That’s not the point.”

“What is?”

“That you’re supposed to argue poorly so I can feel firm and adult.”

His mouth moves faintly. “I’m sorry to disappoint.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “This is serious.”

“I know.”

“I mean it. I can’t be Oliver’s nanny while I’m pregnant with your babies.”

“No.”

The agreement hurts, even though I said it first.

“I love him,” I say. “Oliver. I love him, and that makes this worse.”