Page 79 of The Cupcake Standard

We went around a couple more times, Gina getting frustrated when both rounds passed without me taking a sip. She studied me with a wicked gleam in her eye on her next turn. “Never have I ever had sex in front of Liam’s fireplace.”

My cheeks on fire, I took a sip.

Liam did too, then almost spat his back out. “Wait, what?”

“Gina, you promised not to tell.” I glared at her, but she just laughed.

“I didn’t tell him. You’re the one who drank.”

I put my head in my hands. “Derek and I snuck out last night to have sex in front of your fireplace. But we were on a blanket.” Then I glared at both of them. “It’s your fault anyway, turning a double date into a full-blown overnight party.”

Liam looked disgusted. “I’m going to have to hire a cleaning service to come in and scrub my whole apartment.”

“Don’t you already do that?” Gina asked.

Indignant, I protested, “Hey, we used a blanket!”

“Yeah, but where has that blanket been?” He arched an eyebrow at me, and I was stumped.

“I don’t know.” I started laughing. “Actually I’ve never seen that blanket before or since.”

Gina caught my giggles, and soon they spilled over to Liam, the three of us laughing hysterically. I got up, offering everyone another round. The whiskey created a fire in my belly, and I was burning up, so I yanked off my sweatshirt.

“Holy shit.” Liam’s strangled voice had me glancing at him.

“Yeah, she’s got great cleavage, doesn’t she?” Gina said it in such a matter-of-fact way, I didn’t even know how to respond.

Wait, yes I do. “Never have I ever drooled over my cleavage.”

They both lifted their glasses, clinking them together and finishing the last few swallows.

“It is hot in here.” Gina took off her own hoodie.

I was in a thick-strapped tank top with a built-in bra. My cleavage needed that kind of support, at least around company. Gina on the other hand, could get away in a cute cami with the shelf bra, while still having a decent chest show.

“I don’t know why you always knock your knockers. You’ve got nothing to complain about.” I set their full glasses down and went back for mine. “Tell her, Liam.”

He studied Gina for a minute, who didn’t so much as flinch under his gaze. “She’s right. Not too busty. No offense, Ave, but, Gina, you’re much more my speed. A solid handful with a lot of perk.”

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen Gina blush. The only one we haven’t ogled is Liam, and we have to even that playing field. “All right, Liam. Fair is fair. Hoodie off.” I’d gotten a good look at strip poker night, but it was worth seeing again.

“What?”

Gina jumped in, chanting his name with me. Finally, the shirt came off to reveal a plain black tank that accented all of his muscles, and that awesome tattoo. I was right. Gina’s jaw practically dislocated it dropped so far down.

A faint pink stained Liam’s cheeks over his smirk. “Never have I ever drooled over my muscles.”

Us girls took a drink, but I elbowed him. “I call bullshit on that. You can’t tell me you don’t start every day in front of the mirror, talking to yourself and kissing your biceps.” I put up my arms, murmuring first to one then then the other, both Gina and Liam cracking up by the time I was done.

The game kind of fell apart after that. It spiraled into me and Gina telling stories about one another, Liam piping in with a tale about Derek every so often. Somehow we circled around to poker.

Gina flung out her hand to rest it on Liam’s forearm, him grinning stupidly at her. “Don’t ever let her talk you into playing strip poker. Girl won’t let you walk away with a stitch on!”

I glared at her. “You deserved it.”

Liam glanced between us, waiting.

My scowl deepened, and I jutted my chin in the air. “She stole my crush, so I kicked her ass in poker. Or stripped her ass.” I winked at Liam.

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