Page 55 of The Cupcake Standard

Liam let out a derisive snort that had all of Gina’s hackles up. I didn’t understand it. If I had snorted, or Derek had, she’d have rolled her eyes and made some self-deprecating comment. But Liam did it, so it was personal.

I sighed, nudging her. “Calm down. You got two in.”

Gina was good, but Liam was better. even though she hadn’t left him any easy shots, he didn’t seem bothered. He calmly lined up, called his ball in the side pocket and bounced it off two rails to sink it. We’re in trouble. And Derek’s smirking at me.

I could still rile him up, throw him off. My mind racing, I sidled up to him, sliding my hand firmly down my pool cue in an obvious gesture. “Hey.” I rested my ass against his hip, making sure he had a decent view of my back.

“Hey.” His reply was a bit strangled.

Good. I slid my hand back up the cue, then pressed my ass into him as I circled my fingers and ran them down the wooden length. “Liam’s pretty good.”

“What?”

Gina was trying not to laugh, and Liam completely missed his shot, glaring at me.

I shrugged. “All’s fair in love and pool?” I pushed off Derek, circling the table. My best shot happened to be near where he stood, so I wedged myself in between his hip and the table. “Excuse me.” The only fault in my plan was that he pressed back, making me gasp. All I could think about was bending over the table as he took me from behind. Shit. I focused on the nine ball I was supposed to be aiming for.

Derek’s finger traced the outline of the cut-out of my shirt.

I shivered, nearly miscuing. With gritted teeth, I lined up again, pushing my ass firmly against his side. Ignoring his hands at my hips even as the blood thrummed in my ears, I lined up and took the shot. And missed. Double shit.

He chuckled. “Guess I’ve still got it, too.”

I glanced at Gina. “Should’ve worn a lower cut shirt.”

Derek blanched, Liam gulped and Gina threw her head back in a full-on laugh.

With a smirk, I couldn’t resist leaning over to Derek. “Now who’s picturing who naked?” The darkening in his blue eyes made my breath catch, making me wish I could take back the words. I scurried a safe distance away, searching for a distraction and settling on Liam.

There was a hint of sadness in Liam’s eyes. I realized his new girlfriend wasn’t around, and he hadn’t mentioned her at all. They’d just started seriously dating in the last week. But I’d thought she’d be here.

“Where’s Carla? She’s missing out on all the fun.” I’d met her briefly at the apartment as we were coming and going. And Liam had brought her to get coffee at my shop while I was working, but we hadn’t really hung out.

He sighed, watching Derek take his shot. Dangit, I forgot to distract him.

“She wanted some girl time.” He shook his head, a bewildered expression on his face. “I just don’t get her. She says I’m not trying at all, but I am.”

I cocked my head at him. “What do you mean by trying? What have you guys done so far?”

Liam leaned against the pool table, staring up at the ceiling before he answered. “I took her to sing karaoke one night at my favorite bar. We’ve watched football at my place. We had dinner at my favorite diner.”

Gina failed to cover her snort. She gave an apologetic shrug when Liam glared at her. “I’m sorry, but that’s your definition of trying? Do you know any of her preferences? What she likes to drink? Where she likes to eat? Or do you just go wherever you feel like?”

The annoyed, guilty look Liam wore was more than enough evidence for a conviction.

To my surprise, Gina softened. “Look, it’s not that hard, but it really does mean a lot.” She turned to shout out to her boyfriend. “Josh, what’s my favorite drink?”

He glanced over from where he was watching Greg toss darts. “Mai Tais or Fireball.” His eyebrow popped up, silently asking what all this was about.

“I’m proving a point.” She put her hands on her hips. “How do I like my coffee?”

Josh rolled his eyes. “You like that cinnamon roll thing. Otherwise, lots of cream.”

“Favorite donut?” This time she looked at Liam, oozing confidence in her boyfriend’s answer.

“Glazed. Preferably from Sweetwaters.” When Greg handed him the darts, Josh gestured to the dartboard, wanting to go back to his game.

Gina waved him off. “Thanks, hon. See, Liam?” She turned to Derek. “How about you, hot shot? What do you know about my girl here?”

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