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

DATE NIGHT LAURA

Friday evening came quicker than I expected, and now I was standing in Jess's room, staring at myself in her mirror while she curled the ends of my hair.

"Hold still," Jess scolded, waving the hot iron at me.

"Sorry," I muttered, trying not to fidget. My palms were clammy, and my stomach twisted in knots.

"Why are you so nervous? It's just a date," Sam chimed in from the bed, where she was scrolling on her phone.

"Because," I said, sighing. "It's not just a date. It's... a first date."

Jess smirked, releasing another curl and fluffing it out. "And with an art guy, no less. I still can't believe you managed to find someone who shares your... passion for brushes and stuff."

I bit back a groan. They had no idea this whole date was almost a lie and that this guy came out of nowhere to save my ass.

Sam threw her phone down and grinned. "Relax, you'll be fine. Besides, you're totally pulling off that dress."

I glanced down at the pale green sundress Jess had practically forced me into. The fitted waist and flowy skirt were flattering, sure, but the neckline dipped a little lower than I was used to. "Maybe I should wear something else," I mumbled, tugging at

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the hem.

Jess rolled her eyes.

again. Trust

Tim's going to love

focus. I glanced toward the window, my heart sinking when I saw the familiar figures

Luke. And a gaggle of

against the window frame. "They're still

pool party night," Jess said with a shrug just as irritated about it

I

the window and snorted. "Look at them. All biceps

flicked to Josh without meaning to. He was leaning against the edge of the pool, water dripping from his hair as one of the cheerleaders-Madison, of course-laughed too loudly at

being...

You have a date, Laura. Focus on that,

needed to

DATE NIGHT

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was about proving to myself-and everyone else

was built on a tiny

this way!

said, stepping back from the window. "Let's finish this. Tim's picking me

an eyebrow. "You sure

forcing a

of moments, I couldn't shake the feeling that this night wasn't going to go

front of Jess's house right on time, his pickup truck gleaming under the porch light. The faint hum of the engine was the only sound as

out and circling the truck to open the door for me. "You look...

cheeks warming. "Thanks. You clean up