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

ICE CREAM? JOSH

We stepped out of the restaurant into the warm Texas night, the air thick with the scent of freshly baked dough and city life. Vivien was still smiling, her eyes bright as she glanced up at me.

"That was fun," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. "Yeah. It was."

And it was.

It had been a long time since I'd sat across from someone and actually enjoyed myself without guilt clawing at the edges. Vivien was easy to talk to, easy to be around. And fuck if that didn't scare me a little.

The waitress had asked if we wanted dessert, and before I could even consider it, Vivien shook her head. "No, thanks," she said, then turned to me with a playful glint in her eye. "I have ice cream at my place. It's not far if you'd be more interested in dessert... there." I almost choked on my last sip of wine.

She grinned.

I set my glass down and nodded once. "Yeah. Sure."

Deep end it is.

15:05A

ICE CREAM?

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few blocks away. The streets were quieter now, the occasional car passing by, headlights sweeping over us. Vivien walked beside me, hands tucked into the pockets of her coat, her shoulder brushing mine every now and then. It

Comfortable.

should have been

because I didn't want to go inside-I did-but because something

lifting her brows.

throat and nodded.

then smiled, unlocking

And I followed.

second before following her

was... not what

sharp lines and barely any clutter. It was the complete opposite of my place, where Asha's toys were everywhere, and laundry always seemed to exist in some half-folded limbo. Nothing

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back of a chair. I did the same, my fingers lingering on the leather for a moment

The sound of her shoes hitting the floor echoed softly as she stepped into the kitchen barefoot, her dark hair swaying with each step. She stretched up on her

Two spoons.

No bowls.

was making

the last of my wine and followed her to the couch, sitting down

Not too close.

Not too far.

popped the

the first bite, moaning

I clenched my jaw.