Page 132 of The Bluffing Game

Rosie comes out of the back, a smile on her face as she sashays over to the bar and says something to Jimmy. Jimmy cracks a smile, and she starts laughing at something. She throws her hand down and leans over and whispers something at him.

“I’m so glad they’re developing a relationship. Hold on,” I say and hurry over to the bar. “What are you two talking about?” I ask.

Rosie looks up at me with bright eyes. “Jimmy was just telling me about a time that he worked as a sommelier in an Italian restaurant and then got fired because he had drunk too many bottles of wine.”

“What can I say? You got to taste the goods to see if they’re good, right?” Jimmy says, and they both start giggling.

“Dad, you’re too much,” I say and laugh.

I suddenly realize what I said, and Jimmy looks at me with bright, open eyes.

“You called me Dad,” he says, a huge grin on his face.

I nod slowly. “I guess I did.”

“You called me Dad, like you really meant it. Like you’re happy that I’m in your life.”

“You’re not so bad, Jimmy.”

“Does that mean you forgive me for not telling you right away?”

“I mean, I might hold it over you for the next ten years or so, but I won’t let you know it.”

He chuckles, but I can see the worry in his gaze.

“It’s okay, Dad. We all make mistakes, and none of us are perfect, and I know you didn’t even know about me, so it is what it is. I want us to move forward. I love you—you know that, right?”

“You’re the first person who’s ever said that to me that I felt really meant it.” He looks like he might cry, which is really weird because my dad, he’s a tough guy. “You’re going to make me melt, Sage, and that’s not a good thing.”

“Maybe one of these days, you’ll find true love,” I say, and he grunts and turns away.

“Let me pour this wine, and you finish doing what you got to do.”

I laugh and then turn to Rosie. “How’s everything going?” I ask, and she gives me a warm smile.

“Good. It looks beautiful in here. I think tonight’s event is going to be amazing.” She diverts her gaze to Brett and then back to me. “I think it’ll be fun.”

“Yeah, I think so too.” I see that Brett is now staring at Rosie. “So, Rosie, I was thinking, why don’t you join the event tonight?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why don’t you join the speed dating? Maybe you’ll meet some nice guys.”

“I thought I was working the event tonight.”

“The others and I can handle it. I feel like you deserve a night off. You deserve to meet some nice men and⁠—”

“Hi there, Sage.” Brett’s deep voice sounds from next to us, and I try not to groan.

“Hello, Brett.” I give him a nod.

“Hey, Rosie. It’s been a while.”

“Hi, Brett,” she says, smiling at him. “You here for the speed-dating event?”

“No, I think not. That’s not my sort of thing.” He shakes his head, looking uncomfortable. “You working tonight?” he asks.

“Working tonight?” Rosie looks at me, then at him, and then giggles. “Actually, no. I’m going to be a part of the event.”