Page 160 of The Bluffing Game

“Really?” She rolls her eyes at me, but I can see the hint of a blush on her face as well.

We don’t talk again until we make it out of the dive bar, and I signal for her to follow me.

“Where are we going?”

“There’s a chair swing up here, about a hundred feet. We can see the ocean from there. It’s a nice spot to chat.”

“I didn’t come to have a leisurely chat with you, Dalton. I came to tell you to knock it off and quit scaring Rosie. I don’t want her thinking we’re moving into some crime-infested building.”

“But it’s the truth,” I say matter-of-factly. “Would you rather I not be honest?”

We walk past a couple of trash cans and down a side alley before we get to the swing. The view is amazing, and I’m satisfied when I hear Sage’s sharp intake of breath.

“Wow, it’s beautiful.”

We take a seat and watch the sleepy, golden sun descend in the amber sky. From this vantage point, the water looks a dark navy, and the white foam of the waves crashing into the sand and rocks sharply contrasts with it.

“Isn’t it just amazing?”

I lean back and move the swing slightly so we’re swaying in the wind. The movement is unexpected to Sage, and she slides down toward me, only stopped by the density of my thighs. Her leg pressed against mine feels warm and delicate. I look at her face, and she’s staring at me in wonderment, but she doesn’t say anything.

“I’m not trying to scare you or Rosie, Sage, but if you’re moving into the apartments I think you are, they are used by drug addicts and sex workers who⁠—”

“Fine, maybe it’s not the best apartment in town, but it’s all we can afford.” She folds her arms. “And it’s important to me that we make our own way.”

“But I thought you were here, looking for billionaire husbands …” I pause. “Well, along with your dad.”

“Well, yes, but it’s about more than money. I’m not trying to use anyone. I’m still looking for love. I’m not just going to marry a man ’cause he’s rich.”

“He just needs to be rich for you to fall in love with him.”

“When you put it like that, it sounds bad.” She half-smiles.

“It does, but I like that you’re honest about it. Just sucks for men like me, who have struggling businesses, who may want a shot.”

“You’re looking for a shot at love and marriage?” Her eyes narrow. “Really?”

“Okay, maybe I’m not actually looking for either, but life⁠—”

“So why even bring any of this up? “You literally just told me that marriage was the last thing you were looking for.”

“All right, so maybe I’m not looking for either, but if I were, I guess that I would be out of the running.”

“I suppose.” She shrugs.

“Why is money so important to you?”

“Security,” she says without any hesitation, playing with her fingers. She’s quiet as she looks out at the sun setting, and I let her think without asking any other questions. “My parents—well, my mom and my kinda dad …” She sighs as she makes a face. “I don’t really know what to call him anymore.”

“He’s still your dad, right?”

“Yeah, he’s still my dad, but it doesn’t feel the same, you know.” She wrinkles her nose, and I can tell from her tone that the words pain her. “It’s weird. Rosie and I, we grew up knowing our parents loved each other. Like absolutely adored each other. And they lived their life based on their love. We bounced around from place to place, on whatever whim either one of them had. And they always had whims. And they never had much money. Rosie and I never got to plant roots; we never got to make good friends; we never got to have a home.”

“You don’t need a billionaire to have a home.”

“Have you seen house prices?” She laughs and then nods. “A man with a lot of money would offer security for my life. For my peace of mind.” She shrugs. “I don’t care if you think I’m a gold digger, but it’s what I want.”

“Understandable, but then why won’t you let Lucia and me help?”