Page 129 of The Bluffing Game

Epilogue

SAGE

ONE MONTH LATER

“You are absolutely amazing,” Lucia gushes as she looks around the restaurant. “It looks beautiful in here. Where did you get so many fresh flowers for free?” She picks up a bouquet of sunflowers, roses, and begonias and smells them.

“I partnered with some of the local florists. They donated the flowers because I put them in the program,” I say, grinning. “Do you really think it looks okay?” I survey the restaurant—all the tables with crisp white tablecloths, the solitary candle, the bouquet of flowers—and I start to feel nervous. “This is our first official speed-dating event.”

Tickets sold for one hundred fifty dollars each, and fifty different men and fifty different women were coming to our classy dating session. I look over toward the bar, where Jimmy is setting up the crystal wineglasses and uncorking several bottles of wine in preparation for when the singles get here. He looks up from the bar and smiles at me. He raises a glass, and I shake my head.

“You guys seem to be establishing a connection now,” Lucia says, grinning. “I still can’t get over the fact that Jimmy the Fish is your dad.”

“Me neither,” I say, shaking my head. “It’s only been thirty days since everything came to a head, but it feels like a lifetime.”

“Also, I just wanted to say I’m really happy for you and my brother.” Lucia grabs my hand and squeezes. “I’ve never known him to be this happy, and I mean, really and truly happy. And also,” she whispers, “please do not let him choose his next house.” She laughs. “I know you guys are looking for a place together.”

“I told him we’re not buying anything anytime soon,” I say. “We need to pay off as much of the debt that he has at this restaurant first, and then I need him to invest more in the restaurant so that Gracie can focus on new menu items while having help in the kitchen.”

“You have so many amazing ideas, Sage,” Lucia says. “I am so impressed by you.”

“Thank you.”

The door to the restaurant opens, and Dalton, Roman, and Brett walk in. Lucia’s eyes widen in appreciation.

“Is it just me, or does Roman look particularly handsome today?” she asks.

I look at her in surprise. “Do you have a⁠—”

“No, no, no,” she cuts me off before I can even continue my sentence. “Let me go to the back and make sure Izzy’s okay,” she says and hurries off.

I stare after her in surprise. Is she interested in Roman, or was I making that up in my head?

Dalton heads right over to me and grabs my hands before kissing me on the lips. “It looks and smells fantastic in here. You’ve done such a great job.”

“Thank you,” I say, touching the side of his face. “How was your afternoon? Did you guys finish everything you needed to get done?”

“We did,” he says. “The house is officially sold, and I have received the wire transfer.” He smiles at me. “And it’s a good amount of money. I’ve put money into Toby’s college account, and I’ve paid off some debts, and there’s still some left.”

“I’m so glad,” I say, squeezing his hand. “That’s really amazing.”

“Are you sure you’re not upset that I’m not super rich?” He starts laughing. “What? I’m just saying, when we first met, it was your intention to marry a billionaire, and now you’re stuck with me.”

“Well, we’re not married yet, Dalton.”

“We will be one day,” he says as he strokes the side of my face. “You know I love you. I can’t wait for you to be my wife.” He grins. “I want to introduce you as my fiancée and then my wife, not just my girlfriend.”

“One day,” I say. “But first, we have to make sure the business is running well, and we have to make sure…” I pause as I see Toby running from the back.

“Hey, Sage,” he says, running up to me and tugging on the bottom of my skirt.

“Yes, Toby?”

“Guess what Izzy just said.”

“What’s that?”

“She said that there’s ice cream, and if I ask you nicely, I might get some.”