Page 38 of The Dating Show

Holding out a finger, Quinn said, “No, that’s not how it works. She answered the original question. However, I’m dying to know the answer. It’s your turn, Riley, ask someone.”

Taking her time, she inspected every person before saying, “Elizabeth, truth or dare.”

Elizabeth stood brazenly from the couch, her hands on her hips. “Knowing you, you’ll ask something out of the blue and impossible to answer. I’ll go with a dare.”

Riley thought momentarily. “Let me think.” She tapped her lip, then smirked. “Take off one article of clothing.”

Everyone whooped, then laughed when Elizabeth slowly reached down towards her leg and removed one sock. Straightening, she whirled the sock in the air before flinging it to the corner of the room.

“Always the performer,” Tanya said under her breath, just barely audible for Avery to catch it.

You’re one to talk, Avery thought. She wanted to say the comeback aloud but refrained, what she witnessed in the bushes returning to her mind.

“I pick Avery. Truth or dare.” Elizabeth’s voice broke through her thoughts.

Glancing at Stella, who had moved her leg away when the spotlight was turned on Avery, she tried for a quick pro and con list but ended up going with her gut. Dare it was, since Avery didn’t want to get into the many truths that could be asked of her.

Elizabeth took a healthy gulp of her vodka tonic, her already ruddy cheeks darkening with the attention on her. “Okay, let’s see. This could be fun. I dare you to give Quinn a lap dance. With your shirt off,” she added a bit loudly, presumably emboldened by the alcohol.

Hoots rose from the group as Quinn settled more comfortably on the couch, ready for the show.

“Wait, wouldn’t taking my shirt off and the lap dance be two separate things?” Avery asked, looking around for someone on her side and finding no one.

“We can leave it up to Stella,” Quinn allowed, everyone turning to her.

Stella pretended to mull over the request, her face pinched in concentration. Avery pleaded with her eyes, but she might as well have been begging to a wall because soon after, Stella slammed down an imaginary gavel.

“I rule the dare as stated… Allowed.” Cheers burst Avery’s eardrum at the ruling.

Even though it didn’t fall in her favor, Avery stood slowly with her hands up in acceptance. “Okay, you all win. Quinn, since you are the recipient of this dance, and I want to do it justice, I’ll allow you to pick the tunes to which I gyrate my body near you.”

“Boo. You nerd,” Elizabeth teased.

“I know just the song.” Quinn picked up her phone, and scrolled through the music.

“Hey, why did you get to keep a phone?” Tanya pouted, looking like she wanted to rip the device out of her hand.

“Stella and I were the only people that got to keep one. I haven’t really used it since I got here.” Quinn shrugged, thumbing through the screen. “Ah, here we go.” She grinned at Avery.

Avery stood waiting for the music to play, but when silence ensued, she tilted her head in question.

“I won’t play the song until your shirt is off.” Quinn swirled her fingers around Avery’s upper body.

Right. She’d already forgotten about that part. Wiggling her shoulders to loosen up, she grabbed the hem of her shirt, whipping it up over her head. She twirled the shirt above her and in a slow circle, she turned and tossed the shirt over to Stella, who turned bright red. Cheers went up from the group at the move. Even though only five people were in the living room, the encouragement had Avery’s ears ringing.

Looking down, she nodded at the black sports bra she had on. Not one of her sexier undergarment choices, but at least this one didn’t have bleach stains.

“I’ve got to admit, I thought watching Avery try to lap dance would be hilarious, but damn. It’s actually hotter somehow,” Riley said to Elizabeth, who agreed with a grin.

“That makes it ten times better. Good call, Elizabeth,” Quinn agreed, her smile stretching across her face.

“The only thing missing is music. Go ahead, Quinn. Let’s get this going.” Stella’s excited voice filled the room as she sat forward in the chair, clutching Avery’s shirt.

Avery felt Stella’s hungry gaze caressing her bare skin. Flushing at the attention, she fought not to cross her arms over her belly. Slowly, she began walking towards Quinn, who was fumbling with the phone. The song's first notes came out, and Avery froze before putting her hands on her hips, holding in a hearty laugh that wanted to burst out.

“You did not just choose ‘I’m Too Sexy,’” Tanya scoffed, but hid a smile behind her glass.

“I sure did. Now get to dancing.” Quinn sensually beckoned with her pointer finger.

---