Page 109 of The Bluffing Game

“I’m glad my brother told you the truth finally,” Lucia says with a sorrowful expression. “I really didn’t want to lie to you, but it really wasn’t my place to say. Plus, I didn’t want to lose you as a best friend. Well, one of my new best friends.” She looks over at Izzy, who giggles.

“Yeah, I’m so glad you know. I know when I found out that Lucia was part of a Mafia family, I nearly threw up,” Izzy says in a low voice. “I mean, you can only imagine the shock and awe I was in.”

“Actually, I think we can,” Rosie says with a laugh. “By the way, have you heard from Colton?”

“Oh, yeah, he tried to call me, begged me to take him back, said he was breaking up with Kendra that night.” Izzy rolls her eyes. “Yeah, okay. I don’t believe that. Now that the fog is finally lifting, I’m realizing what a freaking idiot I was.”

“We’ve all been there,” Rosie says with a smile.

“Yep, we have,” Lucia says.

“Well, I’m not going to say anything, seeing as I’m in a weird situation with your brother.”

“You know you have my full support. I love, love, love, love my brother, and I love Toby even more than that, but you’re a good girl, and I want you to be happy, so whatever happens between you guys, I only hope it doesn’t ruin what we have.” She nods at all of us.

“I promise you it won’t. Scout’s honor, Brownie’s honor,” I say, and she smiles.

The door to the restaurant opens, and we all look forward eagerly, hoping it’s going to be a large party. My heart sinks when I see it’s Brett.

“You want to take this one?” I say to Rosie, thinking about what Dalton told me about him.

“No, I’m okay.” She looks over at Brett longingly and then back at me. “You know, I’ve learned my lesson. I’m not chasing guys who aren’t into me.”

“How did you learn that?” I ask her in surprise.

“I don’t know. Maybe watching that movie, He’s Just Not That Into You, the other night with Izzy.”

“I made her watch it because I feel like we’re kind of the same personality,” Izzy says. “We so badly want to be in love, but we’ve got to go for the right guys, and emotionally unavailable men and manipulative men are not the men for us.”

“Okay, I guess I will take this one then,” I say as I head over to Brett. “Hey, welcome to Mama’s Kitchen.”

“I’m actually not here to eat,” he says. “I’m here to talk to you.”

There’s a serious expression on his face, and I nod my assent.

“Do you want to go to the break room?” I ask.

“Sure.”

We walk slowly by the bar, and he offers a look to Jimmy.

“Good afternoon, Jimmy,” Brett says.

Jimmy nods and then turns back to cleaning his glasses.

“It’s a really strange week that we’ve got going on with the weather,” Brett says to Jimmy, who slowly turns back around.

“Wouldn’t know. Haven’t really been outside,” he says. He looks at me, and then he looks back at Brett. “Best to just concentrate on the weather we have now, don’t you think? Not what may be coming?”

Brett nods. “Let’s chat, Sage.”

We enter the break room, and Brett closes the door.

“We should have a seat. I’m afraid I have some not-so-great news for you.”

“Okay, and what’s that?”

“Two things. Firstly, the threat from Parker is real. He is very rich; he comes from a very prominent family. He has a lot of connections. He doesn’t like to be told no.”