Page 6 of Triplet Babies for my Ex's Best Friend

“I know you’re upset,” he says calmly. “And trying very hard not to show it.”

I let out a sharp laugh. “Wow. Do you always do this? Read strangers like a personality test?”

“You’re not subtle.”

“I just got dumped at an airport,” I fire back. “Forgive me if I’m not handling it with grace and composure.”

“Then stop pretending you don’t care,” he says.

“I don’t?—”

“You wouldn’t be this angry if you didn’t.”

My fingers curl slightly against the armrest.

I should move.

I should absolutely move.

Instead, I tilt my head just enough to meet his gaze fully. “You’re unbelievable.”

“And you’re avoiding it.”

I shake my head, exhaling, but I don’t move away. Neither does he.

The space between us feels thinner now. Charged.

“You think you’ve got me all figured out,” I say quietly.

“I think you’re trying too hard to prove you’re fine,” he says. “When you’re clearly not.”

“I don’t need to prove anything,” I say, but it comes out softer this time.

“Then why are you still arguing with me?”

My breath catches because I don’t have an answer. Because walking away would be easier, because staying here, this close, this aware, isn’t.

“You’re irritating,” I say instead.

A corner of his mouth lifts. “And you’re still here.”

I lean in slightly. “You think this is charming?”

“No,” he says. “I think you know exactly what you’re doing.”

My pulse jumps. “That’s?—”

“You didn’t move,” he repeats quietly. “You didn’t shut this down.” His gaze drops to my mouth again.

Heat rushes through me, sudden and disorienting. “I’m not?—”

“Then stop me.”

Everything stills. The hum of the plane fades into the background; there’s just him. Too close. Too intense. Watching me like he already knows what I’m going to do.

And I…

Don’t do anything except sit there, breathing a little too fast.