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.

not changing again. Trust me,

going to

from the backyard, breaking our focus. I glanced toward the window,

Luke. And a

I groaned, leaning against the window frame. "They're still

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

I

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

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 something he

they ever get tired of being... them?" I

who cares? You have a date, Laura. Focus on that, not whatever nonsense is happening down

needed to

DATE NIGHT

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to myself-and everyone

if it was built on

this way!

"Let's finish this. Tim's picking me up in

raised an eyebrow. "You

nodded, forcing a smile.

catching Josh's gaze for the briefest of moments, I couldn't shake the feeling that this night wasn't going to go

his pickup truck gleaming under the porch light. The faint hum of the engine was the only sound as I stepped out onto

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

head, my cheeks warming. "Thanks. You