Page 239 of The Bluffing Game

I watch as he rolls around on the ground, laughing. His shrieks are young and boisterous as he jumps up and runs over to get onto Sage’s shoulders.

“Sing it again. Sing it again.”

“I think I might be losing my voice right now,” Sage says to him as she rolls him to the ground and tickles him. “How’s about we make some pancakes instead?”

“Ooh, can I get chocolate chips in them, please, please, and blueberries?”

“I think so, but I’ll have to ask your dad first.” Sage looks over at me, and I nod, a warm smile on my face as I watch them.

“Yay, blueberry and chocolate pancakes are my favorite.” Toby goes running into the kitchen. “Are you coming, Sage?” he calls back.

“I’m coming. I’m not an Olympic athlete, you know?”

“What’s that?” he asks, and she laughs.

I follow them into the kitchen, my heart warm as I watch them. Sage looks slightly rumpled in my oversized T-shirt and boxer shorts. Her long hair is up in a ponytail, and her eyes look tired. Neither one of us slept the night before, but not because we were messing around. In fact, we didn’t even touch. We just lay side by side in the bed, not speaking until I asked her if she was okay. She nodded and turned over onto her back. I am almost positive that she didn’t get a wink of sleep though.

“Can I have bacon as well?” Toby asks excitedly. “And fried eggs and French toast?”

“I don’t know if you can have French toast and pancakes, Toby. And bacon and eggs? That seems like a lot,” Sage says in a soft voice. “Maybe, just maybe, you can choose two of the above.”

“Two?” His little lip wobbles like he’s about to cry. He bats his eyelashes at her. “What about three?”

“What about one?” she says.

“One? You said two.”

I hide a smile as she winks at me.

“You can have one or two—that’s it.”

“Okay, I’ll have pancakes and eggs, please, Sage.”

“You’re welcome. And do you want to do a shape in the pancakes?”

“A shape like what?”

“I don’t know. Maybe bunny ears, or we can do a dragon.”

“Can you really do a dragon?”

“Actually, I don’t know if I’ve ever done a dragon, but I can try.” She laughs and then tugs on the T-shirt. “Maybe your dad knows how to do a dragon.” She looks over at me. “Or maybe you just fight them?”

“Only for princesses,” I say softly, and she offers me a wry smile.

A loud banging makes her jump, and I see fear cross her face until she realizes it’s just Toby throwing a toy to the ground. It makes my heart hurt to see her so nervous, and I’m furious with Brett and myself. I know better than to mention her nerves to her though.

“You’re asking the wrong guy.” I shake my head vehemently. “I can barely make a circular pancake, let alone a dragon, and I certainly can’t do bunny ears, but I would like to request a dog, baby.”

“Really, Dalton?” She smiles at me.

“If you’re making cool pancakes?”

“A dog though?”

“Daddy said he’s going to get me a dog,” Toby says. “Maybe you can come with us to the shelter.”

“That would be cool.”