Page 258 of Triplet Babies for my Ex's Best Friend

My eyes sting immediately.

“But you aren’t my past,” he says softly. “And loving you isn’t betraying her.”

The air leaves my lungs.

Oh.

Oh.

I think something inside me heals a little hearing him say that out loud.

“I don’t expect perfection from you,” I whisper.

“No,” he says with a tired half smile. “You mostly expect sarcasm and functioning emotional communication.”

“Correct.”

“I’m working on the second one.”

I laugh wetly.

He steps closer, slow enough to stop if I pull away.

I don’t.

His hand brushes lightly against my waist. “If you give me the chance, I’ll do better.”

My heart hurts. “I’m still scared.”

Ethan’s hand shifts lightly against my waist, thumb brushing once like he’s grounding himself too. “So am I.”

The honesty in his voice makes something inside me ache.

“I don’t know what happens next.”

He lets out a quiet breath. “Neither do I.”

“That’s deeply unhelpful for a billionaire.”

His mouth twitches. “I’ll issue myself a formal complaint.”

I smile despite myself.

“I made something to eat.”

I blink. “You did?”

“Yes.”

“That sounds unsafe.”

“I followed instructions.”

“From who?”

“Three cookbooks and a nutritionist.”

I laugh again, softer this time.