Page 173 of The Bluffing Game

“Now, I know we haven’t known each other super long, but I look at you two as friends and almost sisters already. And there’s no way on God’s green earth that I’m going to let my friends stay in this dump. And I know you might not feel super comfortable moving in with us, but what about if we say it’s for a month? And then once you’ve saved more money, you can decide if you want to stay longer or not.”

“Please,” Izzy says. “It will be so much fun. Plus, I need help with Colton and figuring out what I’m going to do. And we’re all going to join that dating app, and we can discuss our profiles and get ready for dates and stuff together.”

“Exactly,” Lucia says excitedly. “We’re going to have so much fun. What do you say, Sage?” She looks at me and offers me a wide smile. “Do you really want to stay here? Or do you think you might be open to living with us for just a little bit?”

I don’t know how to respond to her generous offer. I know what my heart wants to do, but my head tells me the offer is too kind.

“And I’ll get you your money back for this place.”

I now notice that Dalton has somehow joined the conversation. His expression is unreadable, but his intense eyes never leave mine. I don’t know what he’s thinking. I don’t know if he thinks I’m a hot mess, or if I’m like some weirdo he feels like he has to protect. Maybe because I’m his employee, he feels responsible for me. I don’t want to take advantage. I don’t want this man having any power over me, other than at work.

“Say you’ll live with us?” Lucia looks at us hopefully.

I look over at Rosie, who is crossing her fingers. She really wants this. And even though I do as well, I know I would say no if not for her.

“Thank you.” I look at Rosie and then at Izzy. “Your offer is really, really generous, and we’d love to accept.”

“Yay. Thank you, God.” Rosie jumps up and down. “Phew. I was so nervous that you were going to say no.”

She gives Izzy and Lucia a big hug, and Dalton comes over and stands next to me.

“I’m glad to see you actually do have a brain,” he whispers into my ear, a huge smile crossing his handsome face.

“Excuse me?”

“It wouldn’t have been cool if you’d stayed here.”

“Why not?”

“It’s a dump, Sage, and I wouldn’t have felt comfortable, knowing you were here.”

“I’m not your responsibility, Dalton. It really shouldn’t matter to you where I live.”

“Well, I guess it does. And I guess I’m just one of those men who is a little overprotective.”

“Why? Because I work for you?”

His eyes narrow, and he nods, a twisted smile crossing his face as he touches the small of my back lightly.

“Yeah, sure”—he runs his fingers down past my ass and then steps away with a smirk—“that’s why.”

Chapter 12

DALTON

The drive over to Lucia’s house is quiet, though that’s because Sage, Izzy, and Brett are in the car with me, and Rosie, Roman, and Lucia are in Roman’s car. I peek into the back seat, and Izzy is curled up next to the window, sleeping while Brett scrolls on his phone. I look over at Sage in the passenger seat, and she looks small and tired. I know she didn’t want to take Lucia’s offer, but there was no way I would have been comfortable with her staying there.

“How are you feeling?” I ask after a few more moments of silence.

Izzy is still sleeping in the back and lightly snoring, and Brett has his earbuds in, staring at his phone. I can hear the faint sound of music and know he’s letting Sage and me have a private conversation. That’s what I like about Brett—he just gets it.

Sage looks up at me, a hint of a smile on her face as she ponders her response. “I’m not really sure how to answer that question.”

“Maybe just honestly.”

“I’m thinking that I’m in over my head.” She shrugs, and her expression is wry. She straightens her shoulders and then runs her fingers through her hair and lets out a deep sigh, as if to emphasize that she’s unsure if she’s made the right decision. “I don’t want to stay at Lucia’s, by the way. This isn’t the choice I wanted to make. I really don’t want to take advantage of her generosity, of your generosity, of⁠—”

“You’re not taking advantage of anything, and I know you don’t want to stay.”