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

PART 6- CHAPTER 194 JESS

The days had blurred together since I'd arrived in Paris. Time felt irrelevant when every hour was just another battle to keep my mind from collapsing into

itself. But Paris felt wasted on me in all its beauty, even though Laura did her best to pull me into her world. Whenever she coaxed me out of the apartment, I'd trudge alongside her, a shadow to her light, watching the city from a distance.

"Jess," Laura's voice cut through my thoughts. She was standing by the couch, arms crossed, her brows knitted like she did when she was officially done putting up with me. "You've been here for almost a month now, and you barely leave the apartment unless I drag you o I groaned, pulling a pillow over my head, but she yanked it away. I glanced up, half-heartedly annoyed, meeting her determined stare.

"Seriously, Jess. I get it. He was

a big part of your life, and I know he hurt you. But he doesn't get to keep hurting you. Not now, and definitely not. for the rest of your life." She sighed, her tone softening. "This isn't you. You're strong and resilient, and one guy doesn't get to take that away from you. And righ I stared at her, knowing she was right but feeling like it was a truth I couldn't quite reach. My mind was stuck in this deep, dark hole, and no matter how much I tried, I couldn't climb out of it.

Laura sighed, clearly losing patience. "Okay, I've had enough," she said,

TWIT & CHAPTER 101

my arm and yanking

"Hey! What are you-"

you're getting in, even if I have to throw you in myself. And after that, we're going out. There's an art exhibition

half-laughing at her absurd determination. "Laura, I'm not in the mood for an exhibition. Can we

freezing burst of water cascade over me. I yelped, cold soaking

only grinned, pulling the door shut behind her as I scrambled out of the icy spray. There was no getting out of this

feeling the cold water jolt me awake in a way I hadn't felt in days. I stood under the spray for a moment, letting it wash over me, like maybe it could rinse away the stale sadness that clung to my skin. It was the first time I'd properly washed my hair this week, and somehow, it felt like

My skin looked pale, my

a glimmer of the old me Laura seemed so sure was still in there somewhere. I took a deep breath and padded back to the bedroom, where Laura had already laid out the little black dress on the

get dressed. We're not going to waste another night." Twenty minutes later, we were out

waves, swipe some mascara on my lashes, and shove me into a pair of heels before I'd fully registered what was happening. As we stepped into the balmy Parisian evening, she linked her arm with mine, smiling like she'd just won a prize We took the metro, emerging into a cobblestone street that led to a grand old building. The exhibition was already buzzing with people, laughter and conversation filling the air as we made our way inside. Soft music played in the background, the kind that felt more like a he Laura squeezed my arm, giving me a smile that was both proud and a little mischievous. "See? Isn't this better than moping

to be out, to let myself breathe a little, even if it was