The Cupcake Standard (Sweet Nothings) by Maren Jenner

Author:Maren Jenner [Jenner, Maren]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Romance Fiction
Publisher: Totally Entwined Group
Published: 2023-08-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Sunday morning, Derek and I sprawled across the kitchen table, trying to figure out the paper’s crossword puzzle when there was a knock at the door. We both sprang up, saying, “I’ll get it.”

“Uh-oh,” I said, realizing it meant we were both expecting company.

“Is Gina coming over?” He frowned as the thought occurred to him, too.

I nodded. “I told you last night when she texted me. Sweetwaters’ donuts, coffee then we’re going shopping before my shift. Remember?”

He grimaced. “Liam should be here any minute.”

After we’d left the party at Liam’s last week, an alcohol-infused Gina had challenged Liam to a round of darts, wanting to beat him at something. Things were fine until they’d come up with different scores at the end, and she’d accused him of cheating. They’d had a huge fight about it, which we’d both heard about the next day. And every day since. Now, it was Sunday morning, and I just wanted a quiet visit with my friend, but instead I had to defuse World War Three.

“What’s wrong with you?” Annoyed, I bumped his shoulder, stomping over to the door to yank it open. It was Gina. Good, I’ll get my bear claw first. “Morning.”

She handed over the box of donuts with a smile, then did a double take. “Morning. You okay?”

I found my donut, pulled it out with a napkin, then grabbed Derek’s favorite, a chocolate éclair, and brought it to him. “Don’t ask me. Ask dumbass, here.” I nudged him with my hip for good measure, even as I set his donut in front of him.

He mumbled something incoherent at the same time there was a knock at the door.

Gina frowned. “What?”

“He invited Liam over.”

“Oh.” Gina huffed as she found a glazed donut and poured herself a cup of coffee. “Whatever. No biggie.”

Her strained tone made me wince. It was too early for drama, and I glared at Derek again.

He shrugged as he rushed to open the door. “Hey, man.”

Liam slapped his shoulder as he walked by, giving me a grin and a hello. Then he faltered when he saw Gina. “Good morning,” he said, stiffly.

She slid the box of donuts a fingernail’s width in his direction. “Donut?”

“Thanks.” Liam grabbed a chocolate covered one with sprinkles, then shot her a teasing smirk. “What, no coffee?”

Gina gritted her teeth, and I stepped in before she could bite his head off.

“Liam, watch it.” I gave him a look that said I wasn’t kidding.

He sighed but shut his mouth, his eyes darting to Gina as he made his way over to fill a mug. He cleared his throat. “Actually, Gina, I’m glad you’re here.”

As one, we all turned to gape at him.

His gaze flicked between us before landing once more on her. He ran a hand up the back of his head. “I talked to Carla, and she likes a wine called Riesling or some shit. Since you work at a bar, maybe you’d have a recommendation of one I could pick up?”

My jaw could not have dropped any further.

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