Page 11 of The Bluffing Game

“Where’s Colton?” the redhead demands, hands on her hips, eyes narrowed. She sounds like someone’s pulling her panties back tightly, and she’s in pain. “He was supposed to come over to my place last night, and he didn’t show up.”

“I don’t know.” Izzy presses her lips together, her face ghost-white. “I really don’t know.”

“I bought a hundred-dollar lingerie set and strawberries and whipped cream,” the redhead continues with her lips twisted. “He wanted to put a strawberry in every one of my⁠—”

My loud gasp makes her pause, and she looks down at Rosie and me. I think she just remembered she’s in a public place, but I don’t think she cares.

“This conversation is inappropriate, Kendra.” Izzy sniffs and pulls out a napkin from her black apron pocket. She dabs her nose, and I can see her eyes are watering. “I’m at work.”

“You’d think you’d get a real job.” Kendra flips her perfectly cut red bob with her pink manicured fingers and looks down at her very shiny Cartier watch. I also spy a diamond bracelet on her slender wrist, and I know I hate this woman. Based on the superior, catty expression on her face alone.

“Call Colton if you have an issue,” Izzy says softly. “What you do is none of my business.”

“You’ve got that right.” Kendra turns around abruptly and walks right back out the door.

“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.