Page 147 of The Bluffing Game

“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.

I walk over to him and rub the curls on the top of his head, and he squeals in delight before he goes running to the break room to play with his cars. I nod my consent as he asks for a cookie and then turn back to the women.

I’m surprised to see Sage staring at me, a bewildered look on her face. Like she doesn’t think I’m so bad after all. Which makes me smile at her mockingly because she ain’t seen nothing yet.

Chapter 5

SAGE

My heart is racing and beating so loudly that I’m worried that everyone in the room can hear it thumping. I swear it’s going to jump out of my body and go running down the road. And I can’t afford to take time off from my new job to go and find it.

I avert my gaze from Dalton and turn to look at Lucia. Now that I see them together, it’s easy to see that they are related. He’s one of the handsomest men I’ve ever seen in my life, and she is gorgeous, in that I can wear no makeup and still look stunning way. The fact that she is also so nice and welcoming would normally make me hate her, but I can’t hate the woman who gave me a job.

I’m about to ask Dalton how often he works here at Mama’s when the bell above the door rings, and we all look toward the front. A lady with curly, shoulder-length black hair and an oversized bag smiles as she makes her way toward us.

“Lordy, Lordy, it’s warm today.” She wipes her brow and shakes her head. “Isn’t the sun meant to get a little cooler this time of year?”