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

TIM

LAURA STILL STUCK IN THE PAST...

The smell of paint and varnish hung heavy in the air as I stood in the corner of the shop, scanning the shelves. I'd been here for what felt like forever, searching for the perfect sage green. Every shade I picked up was either too minty or too dull. Maybe I'd have to mix it myself.

The bell above the door jingled, but I didn't bother looking up. Customers came and went all the time in this place, and I never noticed them-not until Tim. Which was a massive mistake-huge-one I won't be repeating anytime soon.

I crouched down to check the bottom shelf, brushing my hair out of my face. Just as I grabbed another swatch of green, a voice floated over to me.

His voice.

"Laura?"

I froze, my hand hovering mid-air. For a second, I thought I might've imagined it, but when I glanced up, there he was. Tim.

He stood a few feet away, his hands shoved into his pockets, looking every bit as sheepish as I'd expected.

I didn't want to do this. Not here. Not now.

1225 TM

11 288 Vouchers

my voice steady as I turned back

his feet awkwardly.

heart was pounding, but didn't let it show. "I don't need your apology. I

trying to hurt me?" I cut him off, my voice rising. "You have a girlfriend, Tim.

the same stupid pair he'd worn on our date. It

saw you, and you were so... I don't know. I didn't think, I guess. I just saw

And now I get to deal with it. So, congratulations, Tim. You got what you, wanted, and I got to be the idiot who fell

heading for the counter. My hands were trembling as I set

"Laura, wait

said without turning around. "Just...

cashier raised an eyebrow but said

1. up.

couldn't. I'd spent enough time letting Tim make me feel small.

my chest tight and my mind racing. I stopped just

to show up

could fully spiral, someone stepped in front of me, steadying

voice was low and steady, but the

was, his eyes scanning

before I could say

sorry!" Tim's voice called

froze, my