Page 69 of Triplet Babies for my Ex's Best Friend

“Good evening,” he says.

Why does even that sound like a threat?

Oliver barrels into the kitchen behind him. “Dad, Addy took my dinosaur.”

“I didn't,” I say automatically. “That was all Captain.”

Captain sits down and looks pleased with himself.

Ethan glances between us, then at the very obvious dinosaur tail sticking out of Captain’s mouth. “I see.”

Oliver folds his arms. “He’s being difficult.”

Captain wags harder.

“I’m shocked,” I say.

Ethan’s mouth shifts at the corner into what could be considered a smile.

I clear my throat. “I was actually going to talk to you.”

His attention settles on me more fully. “About what?”

“Budgets.”

There.

Said it.

Like ripping off a financial Band-Aid.

His expression changes instantly. “Go on.”

Oliver, sensing adult logistics and therefore boredom, drifts back toward the living room with Captain. Which leaves me standing in a kitchen with Ethan Strong, discussing money like a person who definitely has her life together.

“So,” I say, “I know the basics of the schedule now, and I’ve got a better sense of what Oliver likes, or at least what he tolerates under protest. But if I’m doing groceries, activities, random kid stuff, café lunches if we’re out, that kind of thing… I just wanted to ask what your preference is.”

He watches me for half a second. “My preference?”

“For how you want me to handle spending,” I say. “Limits, receipts, a set weekly amount, whether I’m allowed to buy cereal that looks like it was made in a cartoon laboratory…”

He reaches into his inside jacket pocket without a word.

I blink.

Then watch as he pulls out a black card and sets it on the island between us like this is the least dramatic thing in the world.

My brain short-circuits.

I stare at it.

“That’s…” I say slowly. “A credit card.”

“Yes.”

I look at him again. “You’re just giving me a credit card.”

“It’s for household and Oliver-related expenses.”