Page 80 of The Cupcake Standard

She gave me a sassy look. “Well, that boy definitely followed me home after the performance I gave. He got to see all the goods.”

We all laughed at her smart comment. Then Liam leaned the chair back on two legs and casually threw out there, “We’ve already played.”

“What?” She turned on me. “How did I not hear about this? With who?” Her eyes widened even more, and her voice lowered, though Liam could still hear her. “Did you get to see his junk?”

He slammed forward with a bang, planting all four chair legs on the tile. “I’m right here.”

Gina glanced at him, then looked to me for the answer.

I shook my head. “Nah. Besides, Liam suggested it. He was the one hoping for a sneak peek.” I smirked.

He glared at me, pointing an accusatory finger in my direction. “You were sandbagging like crazy.”

Annoyance flared in me, and I crossed my arms. “In my defense, I was getting crap cards, and we were playing Texas Hold ’Em.”

Gina nodded sympathetically. “Not your game.”

“So he suggested strip poker on my deal, and I picked five card draw, to which Derek agreed.”

A knowing grin split Gina’s face. “That’s so your game.” When she turned to Liam, a teasing gleam twinkled in her eye. “How far did she get you?”

He propped both elbows up on the table, resting his chin on his hands. “It was me, Derek and her. We were both down to nothing but our boxers. I think she lost her socks.”

“And that was completely my fault. I thought I had one card…” I trailed off, realizing that Liam really didn’t want to hear it. “Sorry.”

Gina looked at me curiously. “How soon was this after you, um, moved in?”

“That weekend?” I glanced at Liam for confirmation, and he nodded. “Talk about trial by fire. Between Rhonda’s interrogation luncheon and that poker game, after my apartment being condemned?” I let out a little laugh, startled at how much I’d survived.

Gina’s eyes are full of admiration. “Yeah but look at you now.”

Liam’s eyes held hints of it, too. “Don’t forget Kevin’s gold digger comment, and you putting him in his place.” He shook his head. “None of us could believe it when you came back out and actually knew football. I bet you could have asked any guy in that room to marry you that night, and any one of them would have said yes.” He frowned. “Well, except Kevin.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Even you?”

The frown deepened. “Yeah, but I would’ve seen what a handful you are and ran screaming for the hills, so it all worked out.”

Tension eased in my chest. I didn’t need anyone in Derek’s group secretly pining after me, especially his best friend.

A knock at the door broke our silence, and I frowned, not expecting visitors at this hour. “Who is it?”

“Josh.”

With a glance back at Gina, I waited for her permission to answer the door.

She stood up from her chair, giving me a tentative nod before she crossed the room, Liam right on her heels.

I cracked the door. “What do you want?”

“Hey.” He looked supremely uncomfortable. “I know it’s late, but I tried texting Gina and can’t get a hold of her. She said she’d be here. Can I talk to her?” He peered behind me.

My eyes narrowed. “I’m sorry, this party is for ditchees only. Since you ditched her—”

Gina put a hand on my shoulder. “It’s all right, Avery. I’ll talk to him.”

So I moved aside, pushing down my overprotective instinct against the guy who’d hurt my friend. I felt a presence behind me. I was so used to Derek being there that I started to lean back, remembering at the last second it wasn’t him. Instead, I almost lost my balance, pin-wheeling like an idiot.

Liam planted a hand in the middle of my back, giving me a steadying shove until my feet were firmly on the ground. “You okay there?”

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