Page 144 of The Bluffing Game

“Oh, man, she’s a bitch,” Rosie says what I’m thinking. “How rude was she? Like you’d know where your brother was right now!” She giggles uncomfortably. “At least I hope he’s your brother.”

“Colton’s not my brother.” Izzy looks down at us, a weary expression on her face as she grabs her phone and texts someone rapidly.

“Your dad?” Rosie asks hopefully. “That’s even creepier.”

“Colton’s not my dad.” Izzy shakes her head and gives us the most pitiful smile. “He’s my boyfriend.”

I give Rosie a warning look because even though I’m as taken aback as she is by this news, I also don’t want us to get involved. I want to know all the information, but we just met Izzy, so we’re definitely not in a position to quiz her. Rosie sits back, wide-eyed, her eyes fixed on me, and I shake my head slowly.

“Anyway, it was nice meeting you, girls. I just texted Lucia. I told her you’re on the way,” Izzy says as she scribbles something on her notepad. “Here’s the address for Mama’s Kitchen and my number. Maybe we can hang out soon.”

“Yes, that would be great. Thanks, Izzy.” I take the piece of paper from her gratefully and offer her a warm smile.

She looks back at me with trembling lips, and I feel so bad for her. Whoever Colton is, he is an idiot, and Izzy deserves better. I hope that if we become friends, I can show her that.

Chapter 4

DALTON

Beep, beep.

Good news: I hired two new girls.

Beep, beep.

I am a rock star.

Beep, beep.

I deserve a raise, big bro.

“Daddyyy, I want ice cream,” Toby screams while running through the house with a train in his hands.

He’s naked, and his hair is a mess, and yet I don’t have the energy to tell him to put on clothes. I’m only now looking at my messages from Lucia—messages she sent the night before, but somehow, I missed them.

“Looks like you already had some.” I look down at Toby’s face and the chocolate sauce that is smeared across his cheeks. “Did you have ice cream for breakfast?”

“I’m Spider-Man. I can have whatever I want.” He giggles, the gap in his teeth looking wider than usual as I stare down at him. “But me want more.”

“Toby, what did I say? You can’t just have—” I pause as my phone beeps, and I don’t bother to hide a loud groan when I see Lucia’s name on the screen again. My sister is going to drive me crazy.

“Spider-Man go …” He runs past me and jumps onto the couch, rolling around in joy as he throws the couch cushions onto the ground.

I debate between picking him up, carrying him to the bathroom and making him take a bath, and calling Lucia. Toby’s sudden screams make my decision for me.

“Hold on, Toby. I’m calling Auntie Lucia.”

I grab my phone and press the button to call my sister. If she wants a raise, she can earn it. I listen to the phone ring and tap my foot on the white marble floor … not the best choice of flooring when you have a kid, but then again, I didn’t have Toby when I bought this house. Toby sits up and peers at me, his wide brown eyes eager as he stares at me. He loves Lucia, maybe even more than he loves me.

“What’s up, big bro? Need my bank details so you can transfer me my raise? I’m thinking a million should cover it.” Lucia’s voice is way too chirpy for this early in the morning.

“Not in this lifetime.” I grunt and lower my voice so Toby can’t hear me. “Who the hell did you hire? Who the hell told you that you had the authority to hire anyone?”

“That’s two who the hells in a row, Dalton. Might want to change up your language now that you’re a dad. Impressionable young minds and all that.”

“Lucia, answer my question. Who did you hire?”

“Come into the restaurant this morning, and you’ll see, but they are lovely. Izzy met them at the diner yesterday, and they tipped her so well⁠—”