Page 272 of Triplet Babies for my Ex's Best Friend

None of that prepares me for Addy Clarke calmly announcing that our triplets are coming while wearing fuzzy socks with jam on her thumb.

“Hospital bag,” I say.

Addy squints at me. “Ethan.”

“Car. Claire. Dr. Hernandez. Sara can clear my schedule. Jeffrey can?—”

“Ethan.”

I stop.

She reaches for me, and I’m there instantly, taking her hand.

Her fingers squeeze mine.

“I’m scared,” she whispers.

Everything in me changes. The orders vanish, the plan narrows, the entire world reduces to her face.

“I know.” I bring her hand to my mouth and kiss her knuckles. “I’ve got you.”

Her eyes shine. “You better.”

A rough laugh breaks out of me. “Always.”

Oliver slides off his stool. “Do I get shoes?”

“Yes,” I say.

“Both feet?”

“Preferably. You need to go to Diane.”

He nods solemnly and runs.

Addy makes a sound that is half laugh, half pain, and my chest goes tight.

“Okay,” I murmur, one hand at her waist, the other holding hers. “We’re doing this.”

She looks up at me, exhausted and beautiful and impossible. “We’re having three babies.”

“Yes.”

Within ten minutes, Oliver is wearing mismatched shoes, Captain has stolen a baby hat from the hospital bag, Luci is called and answers with, “Are the rich babies launching?” before screaming so loudly I have to hold the phone away from my ear.

Diane appears to grab Oliver. Claire talks calmly through contractions while I help Addy into the elevator.

Addy grips my arm as the doors close.

Her face goes pale.

“Talk to me,” I say.

“I hate elevators.”

“You live in a penthouse.”

“I hate them now.”