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

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JOSH

I was back in the kitchen. The soft glow of the refrigerator light illuminated Laura as she stood there, holding a can of Dr. Pepper. Her hair was mussed from sleep, falling in lazy waves over her shoulders. She looked up at me with those wide, knowing eyes, and before I could stop myself, I was kissing her. My hands were in her hair, her back pressed against the kitchen counter as her breath hitched against my lips.

I didn't want to stop. I couldn't.

A soft touch on my shoulder jolted me awake.

My eyes snapped open, and for one disorienting second, I thought I was still in the kitchen with her. The blue eyes staring back at me were too familiar. My chest tightened. "Laura?"

But as the haze of sleep cleared, the details didn't match. Her face was softer, her blonde hair tied back neatly, not wild and untamed like Laura's. Her expression was professional but warm, and it hit me like a slap to the face-it wasn't her.

It wasn't Laura.

"Sorry to wake you," the nurse said, her voice soft and apologetic. "You've been holding her for a while. I thought you might need a break."

I blinked a few times, adjusting to the harsh hospital lights. My baby girl was cradled in my arms, her tiny body still and

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peaceful. I hadn't even realized I'd fallen asleep holding her.

slightly. "I can

I hesitated.

only take a minute," she added, reaching out

nodded, reluctant but too

she scooped my daughter into her arms, handling her with practiced ease. My arms felt

her smile lingering before she turned and walked to

rubbed my hands over my face, trying to shake off the remnants of the dream. My pulse was still

on my face. Leaning over the sink, I stared at my reflection, the water dripping from my chin. My eyes wer bloodshot, shadows darkening the skin beneath them.

need to get it together," I

a deep breath, I dried my face

the room.

daughter, her tiny form now dressed in a fresh onesie

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288 Vouchers

all clean," the nurse said with a smile, gently

she was in my arms again, some of the tension

on the baby's

her small body. "No. I'm waiting for Laura to wake up. We're supposed to choose

nurse's face shifted subtly, her expression softening with what looked like pity. It made my

I said, my voice colder