Chapter One

Dave opened the curtains, letting the late afternoon sun shine in the floor to ceiling windows.

It was the first time he was hosting Game Night since he'd moved into the condo on the canal and he wanted to show off his view. He didn't know how many times he'd admired these condos with the large windows as he ran or biked along the canal and now he was living in one. Life was sweet.

He put the big, red pillows around the low coffee table and set out the munchies. He had dips -- spinach, onion, hummus, and baba ghanoush -- and crackers and nice bread from the deli cut in thick slices. There was brie and swiss cheese, lots of cold cuts, and he had two trays of desserts for a little later on. The beer was in the fridge along with bottled water.

He had a scrabble board, several decks of cards and a cribbage scoreboard. Of course the game they really got together to play didn't need any props. Truth or Dare was a simple game and one they'd been playing regularly since they'd met in college.

It had been over a month since they'd last managed to get all three of them together and Becca hadn't even seen the new place yet though Nip had helped him move in.

He was looking forward to an evening of relaxation, fun, and crazy dares.

His bell rang and he headed to the door, coming face to face with his favorite little curvy blond, her little button down sweater clinging, jeans tight. "Hey, baby. I made it." Those bright blue eyes were pure magic, curious and wicked and happy as hell.

"Wow, look at you -- you look fantastic." He took her hand and drew her in over the threshold, kissing her nose and then her mouth, his lips lingering. She tasted like sunshine and wind and something sweet.

She cuddled right into him, hugging him tight. His hand slid around her little waist to meet a hard belly, a belt.

Oh, yeah, the gang was all here.

Continued in First Section