Page 35 of Baby Surprise for my Brother's Best Friend

He raises a brow. “Do I look like I plan things?”

Fair point.

I should be worried that it might be another unwelcomed visitor, but my father assured me it wouldn't happen again.

I swipe through my phone to my doorbell app.

Halie? What is she doing here?

I groan, crossing to the door.

My gorgeous, sharp-tongued friend from college is wearing skin-tight denim pants and a cropped halter top that shows off her toned stomach and long legs.

Her body is the kind men write songs about, all curves in all the right places, confidence oozing from every step. Her long braids are pulled up in a messy bun, lips glossy.

When I open the door, her eyes scan me before flicking over my shoulder. Landing

on him.

“Hi, Soph, I was in the neighborhood, so I figured I'd drop by.”

Obviously, a lie.

She gives me a hug before blinking twice. “So, this is the infamous Alessio?”

“In the flesh,” he drawls, sitting up a little straighter as if he suddenly remembered how muscles work.

Halie’s mouth curves into a slow, delighted smile. “Of course, he is.”

My jaw clenches.

She steps inside, letting go of our hug, before lowering her voice. “You didn’t tell me he was a walking thirst trap.”

“I didn’t think it was relevant.” I shoot Alessio a glare as he stretches just enough to make his abs flex.

God help me.

Halie barely gives me a chance to offer her a drink before she grabs my wrist and pulls me out of Alessio’s view. Her eyes are wide, her expression far too amused for my comfort.

“Girl,” she whispers, glancing over her shoulder. “You didn’t tell me he was that Alessio.”

“What do you mean,that Alessio?” I try, and fail, to sound indifferent.

Halie gives me a look that could melt steel. “Please. Tall, built like sin, and wearing gray sweatpants like he’s trying to break the internet? That Alessio. And he was definitely eyeing me like dessert.”

I roll my eyes so hard it nearly gives me whiplash. “He eye-flirts with lamp posts, Halie. Don’t let it go to your head.”

She cackles. “Sure, but lamp posts don’t blush every time he stretches and shows off those abs. You, however…”

My face burns. “We’re just sharing space. Barely. He’s like a walking HR violation, and I’m one step away from taping a shirt to his chest.”

Halie grins like she’s watching a telenovela. “So, just roommates who happen to have unresolved sexual tension so thick it could suffocate a grown man. Got it."

She crosses her arms. “But don’t think I didn’t notice that little spark between you two. Tell me you haven’t had a taste.”

My face goes full-on inferno. “It was one night. Years ago. A bad decision fueled by tequila and poor life choices. We’re coworkers now. Well technically, I work for him. Kind of. And no, we haven’t again... It’s not like that.”

Halie arches a perfectly manicured brow. “Uh-huh. And I’m a nun.

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