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

CONCERN

JESS

"Shit! Ow!" Laura squicked as she tugged off the casserole lid we put in the oven an hour ago. It smelled good but if it tasted good - I had no idea.

I leaned against the counter, wiping my hands on a dish towel,

grinning at Laura as she stirred the sauce with a determined look on her face.

"You look very domesticated. Housewife suits you." I chirped and Laura gave me a glare.

"I paint - you know that. You are more domesticated than I am - all housewifey and mama bear." Laura teased and I laughed, looking down at my very pregnant belly.

"Can you believe this is us now?" Laura teased, tossing her hair back with a laugh. "Seriously, Jess! Remember when we thought cooking meant microwaving frozen pizza?"

I snorted, shaking my head. "And I could barely boil water without nearly setting off the smoke alarm. Who knew we'd turn into these domestic goddesses?" This-us, together-felt so good. Living next to my best friend felt good. "You know, I love this. I love us, cooking and laughing in here pretending everything's normal." Laura's face softened, but then her expression shifted, shadows creeping back in. "I love it too. But I'm worried about Josh." She

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ONCERN

porch, beer bottles in hand, both staring into the fading light like they were searching for

the world was moving on while they were stuck in some never-ending

with him?" I asked, keeping my voice light

nightmares," Laura admitted, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Like, really bad ones. I hear him tossing and turning at night. Sometimes, he calls out something about a journal and a boat. Sometimes, he doesn't even remember what he drean My breath caught; I could feel the pain of her

But it's not that

not. I mean, tomorrow? The interview? Everyone's expecting a happy ending, but what

like this. It's one thing to survive, but dealing with the aftermath? That's huge. They're two football players trying to live up to this heroic

matching my own. "What if

"I just hate seeing him like this. I wish I could take it

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CONCERN

788 Hour her