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.

"I can

I hesitated.

a minute,"

nodded, reluctant but too groggy to argue.

her with practiced

lingering before she turned

trying to shake off the remnants of the dream. My pulse was still racing,

I took the opportunity to splash cold water on my face. Leaning over the sink, I stared at my reflection, the water dripping from my chin. My

get it together," I muttered

breath, I dried my face and walked back out

the room.

nurse was holding my daughter, her tiny form now

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a smile, gently

she was in my arms again, some of the tension eased from

gaze lingering on the baby's face. "Have

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

expression softening with what looked like pity. It

see," I said, my voice colder than I