Chapter 66

Brandon

Still enveloped in the fog of sleep, I feel a gentle touch on my lips. A light kiss. Automatically, I smile, convinced it's Sofia because I catch a whiff of her perfume, finally back from her shift at the restaurant. Nights are long when she's away, and this kiss is like a relief, a temporary seal of connection broken by distance.

Then, as if a fog is lifting, I realize something is off. The texture of the lips isn't quite Sofia's. And I know that mouth too well to be mistaken. Confusion takes over, and my mind, still half-asleep, tries to process this unsettling information.

I open my eyes fully, and the sight that unfolds is entirely unexpected. Laureen is there, her silhouette softly illuminated by the moonlight streaming through the window. My eyes widen in surprise and confusion as I reach for the bedside lamp, shocked to find the girl completely nude. My mind tries to comprehend what's happening.

"Laureen?" I murmur, more to myself than to her. Her expression is a mix