Page 92 of Baby Surprise for my Brother's Best Friend

I meet their gazes. No hesitation.

“No. It’s not.”

And saying it aloud makes it even more real.

Even more terrifying.

After lunch, I turn down the offer of a car and decide to walk.

The crisp breeze is a welcome change, something about it feels grounding after that conversation.

I shove my hands in my coat pockets and keep my head low, letting the city noise dull the churn in my chest.

My phone buzzes.

Luciana:

Didn’t die behind the bar yet?

I smirk and text back,

Alive. Sweating. Probably overpoured three G&Ts.

Luciana:

Proud of you. Kind of. What’s new?

I hit call instead.

“Wow,” she says as soon as she picks up. “An actual phone call. Who are you, and what have you done with my brother?”

“I figured your fingers could use a break from texting back with sarcasm.”

She snorts. “You’re not wrong.”

We fall into easy chatter. She tells me about life in a small town, goat yoga, some guy named Marco who tried to ask her out. I tease her relentlessly.

Eventually, she softens. “You sound... lighter. Is it Sophie?”

“Yeah.”

There’s a beat of silence on her end, then a quiet, “You really like her.”

“I don’t just like her, Lu.”

Another pause. “Good. I’ve only been praying for you to fall stupid in love for like a decade.”

I laugh. “You—"

“Alessio?”

The slightly familiar voice cuts through the crowd.

I look around and spot her.

Jenna or Jessica or whatever her name is.

She’s across the street, walking fast, calling out again, "Alessio!"

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