Page 87 of The Bluffing Game

For some reason, what he showed me doesn’t shock me. In some ways, it does, but I know you never really know a man until you know him. And I don’t really know Parker. I never thought he’d be capable of such a thing, but I’m not taken aback as I should be. In fact, it’s the opposite. I feel bad for the women who didn’t get justice. I wish there were a way to ensure they got their resolution. I am lucky I was stopped from getting to that position, because I have no doubt Dalton gave me factual information.

“I should call him,” I say, though I’m not really sure what I would say to him.

“For what?” Dalton sounds surprised. “To ask him questions?”

“To call off the date.” I let out a low sigh and start taking the curlers out of my hair. “I guess I don’t need these.”

“You’re going to call it off? Just like that?”

“I trust you, Dalton. For all my misgivings, I still trust you. And if I’m honest, something about him didn’t feel right. I wish we could somehow bring him to justice.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ve got Brett doing some investigating. He will see what he can do to help the police.”

“You would do that?”

“I would, and I am.” He stretches his arms. “I know you think I overstep at times, but my heart is in the right place.”

“I’m glad.” I smile at him and pull out more curlers. “You’re not so bad, Leone.”

I grab my phone and text Parker. Date is off. Don’t call. And then I block his number.

“That’s done then,” I mumble, more relieved than upset.

“If you want, we can go on a date.” He almost whispers the words.

“Dalton, what are you saying?”

“I’m saying that I’m free this afternoon. Toby’s on a play date with someone who goes to his preschool. I have a couple of hours.”

“But we both know we’re not looking for the same thing.”

“I guess that’s true,” he says hesitantly. “I wanted to apologize for the other day, by the way.”

“Apologize for what?” I frown.

He takes a step closer to me and holds my hand. “When Toby called you Mommy.”

“Yeah, what was that?”

“I really don’t know.” He shakes his head. “It surprised me. I know it took you aback as well. I could see it on your face.”

“He’s a really good kid. He’s a great kid, in fact,” I say. “I like spending time with him. I wasn’t sure if you’d put him up to it to try and sabotage another date I was on.”

“I wouldn’t deliberately sabotage your date, Sage.”

“You wouldn’t?”

I cock my head to the side, and he bursts out laughing.

“Okay, maybe I would just a little bit, but nothing crazy.”

“Yeah, you didn’t crazy sabotage my dates. You just sabotaged my dates, and now you’re giving me information that shows that my potential match is a psycho.”

“I wouldn’t say psycho. I’d say sociopath.” He grins as he takes another step toward me. “I can help you with the curlers if you want.” He reaches up and unwinds one of the curlers and pulls it out. “I like the bounce,” he says, playing with my hair.

“I should be so mad at you right now, Dalton Leone.”

“But you’re not.” His lips twist up at the side.