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.

changing again.

Tim's going to love

chorus of laughter echoed from the backyard, breaking our focus. I glanced toward the

And a gaggle

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

Jess said with a shrug just

I

snorted. "Look at

edge of the pool, water dripping from his hair as one of the cheerleaders-Madison, of course-laughed too loudly at something he said. A familiar swirl of emotions rose in my chest. Annoyance. Frustration. Something

being... them?" I asked, trying to

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

right. I needed to focus. Tonight wasn't about Josh

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club. It was about proving to myself-and everyone else that I could have a normal,

it was built on a

this way!

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

an eyebrow. "You sure

forcing

glanced back out the window one last time, catching Josh's gaze for the briefest of

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

the truck to

ducked my head, my cheeks warming. "Thanks. You clean up pretty well