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

THE BABY

JESS

The morning sunlight streamed through the thin hotel curtains, casting long streaks of gold across the room, but that's not what woke me up because I wasn't sleeping. The entire night, I lay awake thinking about what could have happened and where he could be. Somewhere, deep down, I knew he was alive, and so was Josh.

They had to be.

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my hands, my fingers absentmindedly tracing the faint curve of my belly. I couldn't hide it anymore. I was almost at 3 weeks-and I felt it. Felt him. or her, a tiny heartbeat tied irrevocably to Luke. Luke.

The name lingered in my mind, a sharp ache that pulsed with every breath. He was everywhere and nowhere all at once. My hand automatically reached for my phone to text him before I remembered.

In the hollow silence that filled the space where his laugh used. to be.

fog. "Jess?

window, arms crossed, her sharp green eyes fixed on me with a mix of worry and determination. "Sorry," I murmured, my voice

me, her knee bumping mine. "You're shutting down again. I

said quietly, though even I

sleep, and you refuse to talk

Laura. Any of it. How am I supposed to " My voice cracked and I looked away, blinking hard against the tears threatening to spill. "How

her hand covering mine. "You're not alone, Jess. You have me. And you don't have to figure it all out today. But right

right. As much as it hurt as much as I wanted

"I..." I started, hesitating.

gently like she knew I'd give in eventually.

snapped

feet for weeks, Jess. It's time." She