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

PART 6- CHAPTER 194 JESS

The days had blurred together since I'd arrived in Paris. Tfelt irrelevant when every hour was just another

battle to keep my mind from collapsing into

itself. But Paris felt wasted onin all its beauty, even though Laura did her best to pullinto her world.

Whenever she coaxedout of the apartment, I'd trudge alongside her, a shadow to her light, watching the city

from a distance.

"Jess," Laura's voice cut through my thoughts. She was standing by the couch, arms crossed, her brows knitted

like she did when she was officially done putting up with me. "You've been here for almost a month now, and you

barely leave the apartment unless | drag you o | groaned, pulling a pillow over my head, but she yanked it away.

I glanced up, half-heartedly annoyed, meeting her determined stare.

"Seriously, Jess. | get it. He was

a big part of your life, and | know he hurt you. But he doesn't get to keep hurting you. Not now, and definitely

not. for the rest of your life." She sighed, her tone softening. "This isn't you. You're strong and resilient, and one

guy doesn't get to take that away from you. And righ | stared at her, knowing she was right but feeling like it was

a truth | couldn't quite reach. My mind was stuck in this deep, dark hole, and no matter how much I tried, |

couldn't climb out of it.

Laura sighed, clearly losing patience. "Okay, I've had enough," she said,

TWIT & CHAPTER 101

grabbing my arm and yankingoff the couch.

"Hey! What are you-"

She ignored me, practically draggingdown the hallway. "You're going to the shower, and you're getting in,

even if | have to throw you in myself. And after that, we're going out. There's an art exhibition tonight, and you’

re putting on that sexy black dress we bought, and you're coming withwhether you like it or not."

| shook my head, half-laughing at her absurd determination. "Laura, I'm not in the mood for an exhibition. Can

we not?"

But she didn't even pause. Before | could protest again, | felt a freezing burst of water cascade over me. | yelped,

cold soaking through my clothes instantly.

"Laura!" | shrieked, but she only grinned, pulling the door shut behind her as | scrambled out of the icy spray.

There was no getting out of this now.

Grumbling under my breath, | finally stripped off my soaked clothes, feeling the cold water joltawake in a

way | hadn't felt in days. | stood under the spray for a moment, letting it wash over me, like maybe it could rinse

away the stale sadness that clung to my skin. It was the first tI'd properly washed my hair this week, and

somehow, it felt like a small victory.

Afterward, | wrapped myself in a towel and peered into the mirror. My skin looked pale, my eyes tired, and |

barely recognized myself. But there was a flicker of something else, too-

maybe a glimmer of the oldLaura seemed so sure was still in there somewhere. | took a deep breath and

padded back to the bedroom, where Laura had already laid out the little black dress on the bed, her own dress

hanging on the back of the door. PART & CHAPTER 194

She took one look atand nodded approvingly. "See? That's better already. Now, hurry up and get dressed.

We're not going to waste another night." Twenty minutes later, we were out the door. Laura had somehow

managed to curl my hair into loose waves, swipe smascara on my lashes, and shoveinto a pair of heels

before I'd fully registered what was happening. As we stepped into the balmy Parisian evening, she linked her

arm with mine, smiling like she'd just won a prize We took the metro, emerging into a cobblestone street that led

to a grand old building. The exhibition was already buzzing with people, laughter and conversation filling the air

as we made our way inside. Soft music played in the background, the kind that felt more like a he Laura

squeezed my arm, givinga smile that was both proud and a little mischievous. "See? Isn't this better than

moping around at home?"

| nodded, though I couldn't quite shake the tension in my chest. It felt strange to be out, to let myself breathe a

little, even if it was with one of my best friends.

We drifted through the exhibit, and Laura chattered away, pulling me

from one painting to the next. She

was vibrant and full of life, her eyes

lighting up every tche Bud 5’

piece she Iovéd: And as | watched

her, | started to feel lighter, like

maybe | could shed sof the

q f q

weight I'd been carrying. The content

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chapter there!

I" [1 : : :

Jess," she said suddenly, stopping in

front of a painting of a couple

standing on a bridge, their fagssm

4

turned toad thelstars This is what

| Yat for you. Not that guy who

made you feel less than yourself, but

someone who makes you feel... alive.

You deserve that, you kn PART

6-CHAPTER 104 The content is on

novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

| felt a pang at her words, and | bit my lip, nodding. "I don't know if I'm there yet, Laura," | admitted softly. "But...

I'll try."

Her face softened, and she pulled me

: 1 '

into a hug. "That's all | ask. Just try.

' [i

And remember, JRE ada Tn

here, dragging you to every gallery

and café until you find

something-someone-worth smiling

I"

for." That would never happen... The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there!