Page 32 of Triplet Babies for my Ex's Best Friend

Jeffrey lets out a quiet, incredulous breath. “That's… not ideal.”

“No,” I agree. “It’s not.”

“But you’re still considering hiring her.”

“She’s the only candidate who meets all necessary criteria.”

“That’s not what I’m asking.”

I shift slightly, resting my weight more evenly as I consider the distinction he's drawing.

“My concern,” I say, “is whether that prior interaction introduces a variable that compromises the professional dynamic.”

“And does it?”

I pause.

“No,” I answer. “Not in a way that affects her capability.”

“And you?”

“My judgment remains… unaffected.”

Jeffrey is quiet, processing that.

“Then I don’t see the issue,” he says eventually. “You have a candidate your son connects with, who's qualified, and who's willing to take the position. The rest is noise.”

“It’s not entirely insignificant.”

“It is if you treat it that way,” he replies. “You’re not hiring her to revisit a mistake. You’re hiring her to do a job.”

That's, in essence, the correct framework. Remove the unnecessary variables. Focus on the outcome.

“She understands the need for boundaries,” I say.

“Then establish them,” Jeffrey replies. “You’ve done more complicated things than this.”

I allow a brief pause before responding. “Yes. I have.”

“Then make the call.”

I end the conversation and set the phone down, allowing the decision to settle fully into place.

This isn’t impulsive or reckless. It’s a calculated choice based on available information. She’s the correct candidate.

The rest is manageable.

I pick up the phone again and scroll briefly before selecting her contact.

Adeline Clarke.

The name hangs there for a fraction longer than necessary before I press call.

It connects quickly. “Hello?”

“Yes,” I say. “Miss Clarke.”

A brief pause, followed by a noticeable shift in tone. “Hi. Yes.”