Page 14 of The Bluffing Game

“Oh, shit.” Lucia’s jaw drops. “You’re not the girl who conned him to go over by saying you wanted to give him a massage, but you actually wanted⁠—”

“Lucia, wrong woman,” I cut her off and give her a scathing look.

I’m about to grill her about how she even knew that information, but Roman obviously told her. Which is disconcerting because when have my best friend and sister been good enough friends to gossip about me behind my back?

It’s Rosie’s turn to make oohing noises and look full of shock and surprise.

She looks over at Sage, and I intercept a knowing look between them. Sage rolls her eyes, as if to say, Doesn’t surprise me, and Rosie stifles a giggle.

“I guess you’re a man who gets around.” Sage gives me a once-over and shakes her head, like she has no clue as to why a woman would want to spend time with me.

“I guess I am.” I don’t bother to correct her because it’s none of her business what I do. Plus, if she continues disliking me, I will find it easier to stay away from her.

“Oh, he actually …” Lucia starts and then stops as I give her my best death stare. Darth Vader has nothing on me. Nor does Voldemort. “Fine, Dalton.” Lucia sighs and grabs a notepad from the countertop. “I was going to show them the bar next, but Gracie’s about to come in for the day, and I wanted to go over this week’s menu with her.”

“So, you expect me to train these two?” I nod over at Toby. “What do you expect him to do?”

“I want ice cream.” Toby slides off the stool and runs over to me. He tugs on my shirt and pouts. “Ice cream.”

“You already had ice cream this morning,” I say gently. “No more.”

“Ice cream.”

“Listen to Dalton, Toby.” Lucia grabs his hand. “Toby, meet Miss Sage and Miss Rosie. They are going to be working here with Daddy and me.”

“You’re a dad?” Sage’s jaw drops open so wide that I want to tell her to be careful of flies, but I don’t. “You’re married?”

“I’m not married,” I say abruptly.

I can see her thinking hard, trying to guess what happened. Did my wife die? Leave me? Did I never get married? And if I didn’t get married, where is Toby’s mom? I’m not going to tell Sage anything about Toby and his mom. It is none of her business. Plus, it is far too complicated to discuss with strangers.

Though I guess she isn’t a stranger now. A part of me was excited when I walked in and saw her here. A part of me wasn’t even surprised. It was like I’d expected to see her again, but maybe that was because Santa Capinari isn’t that big of a town. Or maybe it was because she’d already starred in one of my dreams. Not that I would tell her that. Especially considering she’d been naked.

My eyes take in her figure again, and I try not to picture her as I had in my dream. She’s my employee now. I have to be respectful, and even though that is the last word anyone would ever use to describe me, I am going to resist my urges to get her into my bed. I am a fan of one-night stands, but definitely not one with a sarcastic woman who now works for me.

“She said no?” Sage tilts her head to the side. “Sorry to hear that.”

“I bet you wouldn’t say no.”

“Want to put fifty dollars on it?” she snaps back and then looks guiltily over at Lucia.

For a few moments, she forgot there were people here, just like I did.

“I’ll put a hundred dollars on it.” I smirk. “But yes, this is Toby, my son. I try not to bring him here too often, but I am a single dad, and sometimes, that can’t be helped.”

I wait for Sage to say something snarky, but she takes me aback by walking up to Toby and shaking his sticky little hand.

“Hi, Toby. I’m Sage. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Hello, Sage. Do you have ice cream?” he asks hopefully, and I can’t help but laugh.

I’m jolted yet again by the fact that Sage laughs as well, a light, sweet sound that reverberates around the room. There’s a real smile on her face now, and we share a lighthearted look before she tightens up her face.

“I don’t have ice cream, but I do love it.” She taps her lips. “Maybe, one day, I can get us both some ice cream.”

“Me too,” Rosie says eagerly. “I love ice cream.” She waves at Toby and beams. “You’re so cute, Toby. I’m Sage’s sister, Rosie, and I can’t wait to get to know you.”

Toby stares at her for a few seconds and nods, then looks over at me. His cute little face looks happy, and it warms my heart to see him so relaxed. It took a long time to get him here, and I’m grateful the therapist was right. He is still young enough to recover from the trauma of his earliest years.