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

COMPROMISED

JESS

The restaurant buzzed with laughter and clinking silverware, but I was barely paying attention. Josh and Laura were across from me, deep in conversation about something or other, but I couldn't shake the nagging feeling in the back of my mind. "Hey, Josh," I said, interrupting whatever he was rambling about. "Where's Luke?"

He blinked at me, confused. "What do you mean? He said he was picking up Italian and meeting you at home."

My stomach dropped. "Shit. I forgot to text him and tell him I was feeling better and decided to join you guys."

Laura winced sympathetically. "Oops."

"It's fine," I said quickly, grabbing my purse. "I'll just head back and meet him there."

Josh gave me a look like he wanted to say something smart, but Laura nudged him under the table, and he wisely kept his mouth shut.

The drive home was short, thankfully, and I pulled into the driveway with a sigh of relief. My hands rested on my belly for a moment before I climbed out. "You're lucky your dad is the forgiving type," I murmured to the baby, knowing full well Luke was going to give me hell for leaving him in the dark,

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COMPROMISED

The moment l'opened the front door, the rich aroma of carbs hit me. My lips curved into a smile. Pasta. My heart melted a little at the thought of Luke going out of his way to grab my favorite. God, I loved that man. But he wasn't in the kitchen.

The containers were still sealed on the counter, the oven keeping everything warm.

I paused, listening.

From upstairs, I heard the faint creak of a door opening.

He was probably in the shower. That man loved to work himself to the bone and then take forever in the bathroom.

because this baby had officially claimed my bladder as

was dimly lit, and I was halfway to the bathroom

stepped out, "What

his voice low and sharp as he ran his hands

I said, offering him a smile

and his shoulders snapping back like someone had jabbed a knife between

frowning

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you and tell you I decided to go to dinner after

blinked at me like he was trying to process my words, but the

door

through the hallway, as Sarah stepped out, her damp blond hair clinging to her shoulders and nothing

his sides as he stared

two of us before rolling her eyes dramatically. "Relax, sheesh," she said, crossing her arms. "There wasn't any water downstairs, that's all. I wanted a hot shower and thought nobody

jaw, my gaze darting between Luke, who was half-dressed and still pale as a sheet, and Sarah, who seemed entirely too comfortable with the situation. For a fleeting second, I could have suspected the worst. But the stunned,

be pregnant, but

voice steady even as my pulse quickened. My lips stretched into a tight smile. "Luke Jooks like he's just seen a ghost

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people walk

her brows lifting

I could practically hear the cogwheels turning

dripping with faux sincerity. "I should've locked the door. But, I mean, to be fair, now we know everyone in this hallway likes a little show... even if I'm

the statement with a wink

the heat rise up my neck, my hands twitching with the urge to launch something in her direction. A punch would've been satisfying. A good one too, right to that smirking face of hers. But no, I couldn't give her the satisfaction of knowing she got under my skin. Instead, I plastered on the politest smile I could muster, ignoring the fire burning in my chest. "Noted," I said curtly,

myself and partly to make a

another word.