Page 185 of The Bluffing Game

I don’t tell her the real reason I want to know: I want to look up her dating profile. I’m curious what she’ll say about herself. I’m curious whether she’ll post sexy photos, be more modest, or play shy or coy. I know it’s not any of my business, but I want to know. And I’m almost positive that if I ask to see her profile, she won’t let me. If she’s even made it yet.

“So, it’s going to sound boring, but I figured it was the best way to go.”

“What’s the username?”

“NewAndPretty.”

“NewAndPretty?” I ignore the stirring in my gut.

“What? You think it’s boring?”

“No. I mean, you are new, I guess, on the app and in town, and you’re pretty, though I would have said NewAndBeautiful.”

“Very funny.”

“What? I’m telling the truth.” My tone is deep, and my voice sounds gravelly.

Maybe because, as I stare at her with her beautiful hazel eyes widening and her pink lips parting, I want to tell her she’s so much more than just new and pretty, but I know how that would sound, and I’m not trying to make her think that I’m some sort of psychopath because I really am not.

There’s an awkward silence between us.

“So, NewAndPretty it is,” I say. “It’s not a bad name, and at least you’re not going to get those who are just looking for sex. I mean, you might still get them depending on the photos you use, but not because of your username.”

“Yeah, that’s true. I think those sorts of guys are everywhere anyway, aren’t they?” She shrugs. “There’s nothing I can do about that.”

“True. But maybe when you get ready to go on dates, send me their information so I can vet them for you and …”

“No way.” She shakes her head adamantly. “Are you out of your mind?”

“I think that’s a reasonable offer.”

“I’m not sending you potential dates’ information so you can check them out for me. That’s weird.”

“I’m just saying that when you’re a beautiful lady, and you’re on a dating app, it’s quite risky, and you may or may not end up on dates with psychopaths.”

“Are you going to do that for Lucia? Are you going to do that for Izzy? Are you going to do that for Rosie, or is it just me? Am I so very beautiful that you feel like I’m the only person who needs this vetting?”

I press my lips together because she’s caught me. Obviously, I wouldn’t even think about asking Lucia to check out her dating profile. She’d laugh in my face, and I know that. Sage knows that as well.

“Fine. I’m just saying, if you need any help or guidance vetting any of these men, I’m here. And of course, the offer extends to my sister, Izzy, and Rosie. I was just going to say you could tell them when you meet up with them later.”

“Uh-huh,” she says. “Sure.” She laughs.

I lean forward so that I can whisper in her ear, “I love the way your lips curl up when you laugh. And I love the way you’ve done your eye makeup today.”

Her breathing is suddenly shallow, and I watch as she swallows.

“I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

“You wore some eye makeup. I notice these things. You didn’t have that color eyeshadow on when we were in the restaurant earlier. Did you pretty yourself up for me?”

She groans loudly and rolls her eyes. “For you or for when I’m going to the bar later with the girls? You can decide which one of those answers sounds the most realistic to you.”

“I know which one I hope it is,” I say. “Honestly, I hope you did it for me. I hope you find it just as hard to resist me as I find it to resist you.”

“Dalton, we can go back and forth with these questions, and I can tell you what you want to hear, or I can tell you the truth. And the truth is …”

I hold my hand up.