Page 107 of Baby Surprise for my Brother's Best Friend

I take the glass, grinning. "You planning to make it a habit?"

"Oh, you have no idea."

Tangled in sheets and breathless laughter, he rests his hand over my heart.

“I still can’t believe you’re real.”

I run my fingers through his hair, slow and gentle. “Don’t screw it up, then.”

He grins against my skin. “Was that a proposal?”

I smirk. “Don’t push it.”

We’re quiet for a moment, and then he speaks again, softer now.

“When I was a kid, I used to think love was like a trap. Like if you let someone in, they’d see all the broken shit and walk away.”

My fingers still in his hair.

“I used to think love was something people settled for,” I whisper. “My dad… he took my mom for granted. Over and over. And she just kept loving him. Even after he cheated. Even after he made her feel small.”

Alessio’s eyes darken, his jaw ticking, but he doesn’t interrupt.

“I promised myself I’d never be that woman. Never love someone so much that I’d lose myself trying to keep them.”

There’s a pause, thick and weighted.

“But then you came along,” I say quietly. “And it doesn’t feel like losing myself. It feels like… finding something I didn’t know I needed.”

His fingers tighten around mine.

“But you didn’t,” he says, voice rough. “You walked in like you weren’t afraid of my dark corners. Like you weren’t afraid of me.”

My throat tightens. “Because I saw something worth staying for.”

He lifts his head, eyes searching mine. “I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”

I blink fast, trying to swallow the lump in my throat.

“God, you’re such a sap.” I kiss his temple.

“Don’t tell Nikolai,” he says seriously. “He still thinks I’m a cold bastard.”

I laugh and curl closer into him. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

We stay like that, wrapped around each other, our bodies warm, hearts finally steady. Like maybe this... could actually last.

But sleep doesn’t come easy.

I lie there with Alessio’s arm slung over my waist, his breathing slow and even, his face tucked into the crook of my neck like he’s never known peace until now.

And yet, my mind won’t shut off.

E’s words echo in my head promising me everything I’ve worked for. Senior partnership, recognition.

A title I’ve chased for years. A seat at the table I clawed my way toward. And now…

I glance at Alessio, so peaceful beside me. And I wonder.

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