Page 256 of Triplet Babies for my Ex's Best Friend

“What face?”

“The one where you realize a man paid attention to tiny things and now your ovaries are writing poetry.”

Claire politely pretends none of this conversation is happening, which makes me like her immediately. “Mr. Strong also arranged for Dr. Hernandez to review your hospital records personally,” she says. “Triplet pregnancies require closer monitoring, but many women do very well with the right support.”

I nod slowly. “Okay.”

Claire softens. “You don’t have to absorb everything today. We can go step by step.”

That almost makes me cry.

Again.

At this point, my tear ducts are basically freelance workers.

A small blur suddenly barrels down the hallway. “Sunshine!”

Oliver launches himself at me. I barely have time to brace before Ethan catches him smoothly around the middle.

“Easy,” Ethan says immediately. “No tackling.”

Oliver twists dramatically in his arms. “But I missed her.”

“You saw her yesterday.”

“That was years ago. Before the suitcase.”

Ethan finally looks at me properly, and everything else in the room quiets. Damn, he’s devastating. Especially in this exhausted, trying, emotionally cracked-open way.

His tie is gone. His sleeves are rolled up. His hair looks like he’s run his hands through it a hundred times today. There’s stubble shadowing his jaw and tension sitting behind his eyes.

But when he looks at me now? Warmth, relief, and something terrifyingly close to love.

My stomach flips so hard I’m not entirely convinced it isn’t one of the babies trying parkour.

“Hi,” I say softly.

His gaze flicks over my face like he’s checking for damage. “Hi.”

Luci clears her throat loudly. “I’m leaving before the air gets emotionally humid.”

Oliver gasps. “No. Stay forever.”

“Tempting,” Luci says. “But I have employment and several unpaid parking tickets waiting for me.”

Captain trots into the room carrying one of Luci’s socks in his mouth.

“See?” she says. “Even the dog wants me gone.”

Captain wags harder.

Traitor.

Claire takes that as her cue to gather her tablet. “I’ll leave the materials here. Dr. Hernandez’s office will contact you directly tonight, Ms. Clarke.”

“Okay,” I say faintly.

She smiles at Ethan. “Mr. Strong.”