"I can't believe you're still a virgin," Charlotte's friend Suzy giggled.

Charlotte's cheeks burned a deep shade of crimson as she felt the eyes of her friend group swivel in her direction. Suzy's giggle echoed through the crowded coffee shop, a cruel little bell tolling out her inexperience. She was used to it by now—being the butt of the joke, the odd one out in a sea of knowing smiles and shared glances. At nineteen, it seemed like everyone else had moved on from the awkwardness of adolescence, swapping stories of late-night whispers and secret romances. But not her. She was still that girl who hadn't crossed the line.

"It's just...I haven't met the right person yet," Charlotte mumbled, hoping her voice didn't betray the lie.

Suzy rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh, come on, you're not waiting for some fairy-tale prince, are you?"

The group broke out in laughter, a cacophony of teasing that made Charlotte's heart sink. But amidst the clatter of spoons and the hiss of the coffee machine, she felt a gentle squeeze on her arm. Her older brother, Roy, quietly sipping his coffee, offered a reassuring smile.

"Maybe it's time you did something about it," he whispered, his voice low enough that only she could hear. His suggestion sent a shockwave through her. She had never considered asking anyone in her family for advice, let alone her brothers. But as she looked around at her friends, who were all lost in their own conversations, she realized she had nowhere else to turn.

"What do you mean?" she asked tentatively.

Roy leaned back in his chair, his eyes studying hers with a knowing glint. "You know, the guy you talked about at the party last weekend. Micheal. You seemed pretty into him."

Charlotte's stomach turned at the mere mention of Michael's name. She had thought he was charming at first glance, but his breath was a toxic cloud of garlic and cigarettes up close. "Yeah, I know who you're talking about," she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "His breath was like a dumpster fire after a rainstorm. Kissing him was like trying to swim through a sewage pipe."

Roy and Bradley exchanged a look, the kind that only siblings could—part amusement, part pity. "Well, if not him, then who?" Bradley asked, leaning forward with his elbows on the table. His curiosity was palpable, and Charlotte felt a spark of hope for a moment. Maybe they could help her navigate this minefield of embarrassment.

"I don't know," she sighed, playing with the foam on her latte. "Everyone I meet just seems so... average."

Roy leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "What if we could help you find someone who is not just average? Someone who is actually a decent guy?"

Charlotte's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

Roy's grin grew. "Well, Brad and I have been thinking about it, and we know some pretty cool guys. They're not like the usual creeps you meet at parties."

Brad nodded in agreement. "And they're totally trustworthy. They won't go blabbing to everyone about it."

Suzy leaned in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "So, who are these mysterious guys you're talking about?"

Roy glanced at Brad, who shrugged before sipping his drink. "They're just friends of ours," he said, his voice a smug purr. "Guys who know what they're doing and won't treat you like a piece of meat."

Suzy's eyes grew wider. "Are you guys setting her up with a date?"

Roy nodded, his expression earnestly. "More like a... crash course in dating, minus the awkwardness."

Brad leaned back; his hands folded behind his head. "Yeah, and if things go well, you could even lose your V-card."

Suzy's jaw dropped. "You guys are setting her up to lose her virginity? That's a bit much, don't you think?"

Roy shrugged nonchalantly. "Hey, she's an adult. It's her choice. And we just want to ensure she has a good first time, you know?"

Suzy shot her with a look of disbelief. "You can't be serious, Char. You're going to ask your brothers to set you up with some random guy to have sex with?"

Charlotte took a deep breath, trying to ignore the sudden tension thickening the air. "I know it sounds weird, but I trust them. And I just want to get it over with."

Her brothers shared a look, a silent conversation passing between them. Then Brad spoke up, his voice a mix of excitement and caution. "Okay, but you have to promise to be safe. And no pressure, okay?"

"I know, I know," Charlotte said, feeling a strange mix of relief and anxiety.

The conversation at the coffee shop had left her buzzing, and as she lay in her bed that night, she couldn't shake the image of her brothers playing Cupid from hell. The ceiling fan whirred above her, casting shadows across the walls as she tossed and turned, her thoughts racing. What if she did go through with it? What if she was terrible? Would the guy tell everyone? Would he laugh at her?

Her heart hammered against her ribs like a caged bird desperate for escape as she replayed every awkward encounter she'd ever had with the opposite sex. The clumsy handshakes, the stuttered hellos, the way she always seemed to spill her drink when she was nervous. She'd seen the movies and read the books. She knew what was supposed to happen. But what if she couldn't perform? What if she was a dud in bed?

The room grew stifling, the weight of her blankets suddenly oppressive. She threw them aside, her skin sticky with a cold sweat. The digital clock on her nightstand glowed like a judgmental eye, ticking away the hours until dawn. Each tick reminded her that she was one step closer to this life-changing moment she wasn't sure she wanted. But she had to do it for her pride if nothing else.

That was a preview of Virgin Bloodlines. To read the rest purchase the book.

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