Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card

PART 5- CHAPTER 188 JESS

My heart was hammering in my chest as I stood outside Luke's building, squinting at the towering windows. I mean, I had literally crossed the country for this. Don't be a chicken-shit, Jess.

I even had a solid argument, ready for why he should have been the one waiting for me, but since he couldn't seem to locate his brain, here I was, channeling all my inner self-sufficient women. half- expected birds to chirp and sunlight to beam down like it was a Disney movie-but let's be honest, life has been more of a horror movie than anything else.

Inhaling deeply, I smoothed down my dress, hands shaking. Luke loved this dress. It was strappy with tiny blue flowers all over. Or maybe he loved taking it off; I couldn't remember. All I had to do was walk in there and lay it out: I remembered him. I loved him. And he was b hospital, for letting me wait without a single word after he'd stormed back into my life, turned everything upside down, and then vanished like he'd never been there.

I pulled the building door open and walked straight to the doorman's desk. He looked up, a trace of sympathy mixed with suspicion in his eyes. Before I even opened my mouth, he shook his head.

"I know that look," he said, his tone overly familiar, like he'd seen

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PART 5 CHAPTER 198

this a hundred times before. "You lookin' for Luke?"

"Yes," I said, trying not to sound as frustrated as I felt.

He raised his hand, palm out, already shaking his head. "Look, we get all sorts of fans trying to see the football players here. Luke's not available, and you can't just walk in and-"

now, I was too tired to even think of a convincing comeback. I'd wanted to do this alone, prove to myself I was

just a little roadblock," I muttered, grabbing his arm and dragging him back to the desk with me. The doorman's face transformed the moment Josh walked in, his jaw practically hitting the floor. "J-Josh!"

hist

doing his best to look official. "Yeah, this is my sister, Jess. Luke's my best friend, so I'm vouching for her.

flustered, as he slowly nodded. "Oh... oh! Of

gripping my bag and trying to rein in my nerves. "No

200 Mouchers

into the

elevator and took a deep breath, trying to collect myself as the doors slid shut. The floor number ticked up, each ding drawing me closer to the moment I'd spent countless hours

inside, twisting

reached his floor. I stepped out, and suddenly my certainty wavered. His door was only a few steps away, but my feet felt like lead. What if he didn't even want

shook my head, dispelling the doubt. This was Luke. Whatever we'd gone through, whatever misunderstandings or mistakes lay between us, we could get through it. I just had to make him see that. I raised my hand, poised to knock, but my nerves screamed at me to turn No. I took another breath, steadying myself. He deserved to hear me out, and I deserved answers. This wasn't just about

I strained, listening for any sound on the other side. Then, finally, I heard movement-a shuffling, hurried movement as though

swung open, but

PART & CHAPTER 188

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back in a sleek ponytail. She took one look at me, her eyes narrowing as if I were an intruder, something that

guard. This wasn't how I imagined this going,

her arms, leaning against the doorframe with a cool expression. "Can I help you?" she