Page 55 of The Bluffing Game

“Not officially.” Izzy looks at us and shrugs. There’s a wicked smile on her face. “In my mind, I figure it’s over. Anyway, it’s not like he cares if I meet someone else. So, whatever. Two can play his game. He thinks he can have his cake and eat it, too, because I won’t sleep with him. He just assumes I won’t sleep with anyone else.”

“But, Izzy, aren’t you waiting for marriage?” Lucia gives her a look.

Izzy shrugs like that’s the last thing on her mind. Or maybe she’s just changed her mind after being in a crappy relationship. I certainly understand that. That’s why I’m looking for money, not love. If men are going to let you down, why hold out for the impossible?

“I’m waiting for a man who’s going to make me feel like I’m the only woman in the world. I’m waiting for a man who’s going to make me feel like I’m on fire, like he loves me, like he needs me more than anything. That’s what I really want.” She shrugs. “Ideally, I wanted to wait for marriage, but Colton has made me look at things differently. I want a man who sees no one else but me.”

“Hear, hear, sister.” I clap my hands vigorously because what I most want in a relationship is to be seen that way, too. If I’m truly honest with myself, that is what I value. A man who sees me for me and wants me just as I am. “That’s what I’m looking for as well.”

“Me too,” Rosie adds, though there’s a faraway look in her eyes. “I was hoping it would be Brett, but … well, I haven’t heard from him or seen him in weeks.” She throws her head back and slams her hands down on the table. “I suppose even a doofus like me needs to realize this is going nowhere.”

“Exactly. Girls, we don’t chase. If they want us, they have to come for us,” I say adamantly. “We’re too cool, too pretty, and too smart to waste time on losers. They want us, then they come for us.”

“In more ways than one,” Lucia says with a huge wink, and we all start laughing.

“Maybe I should say they chase us then.”

“Rosie, you want to go first?” Izzy asks.

Rosie shakes her head. “You said you were going to go first. I’m excited to hear what you wrote.”

“I know, but now I’m nervous. What if it sucks?”

“That’s why we’re doing this,” I say, “so that we can help each other. I bet none of our profiles are great right now, but once we give each other feedback, it will be so much better.”

“Okay, fine. I’ll go first. God knows I need the help. This is mine.” Izzy looks at us, clears her throat, and reads from her phone, “Buxom blonde with big blue eyes. Shy virgin seeking an⁠—”

“Stop right there.” I hold my hand up and shake my head. “You are not going to tell the world that you’re a virgin, are you, Izzy?”

Is she crazy?

Maybe we do need Dalton’s dating tips after all. Maybe we are all doomed to have bad dates.

“What’s wrong with it? I wanted men to know so that they wouldn’t expect sex.”

“Girl, that’s going to make them want you even more because they’re going to want to take your virginity,” Lucia says, shaking her head.

“You think so? I wanted to be up front and honest and …”

“That’s too honest. Trust me when I say, don’t bring sex into any of it. What’s the next part?”

“I’m currently in an open relationship.”

I groan loudly. “No, no, no, no. Izzy, all you’re going to find are other guys who are ecstatic about the fact that you’re in an open relationship.”

Lucia gives me a very obvious grateful look, then sighs. “We’re going to have to come back to you, Izzy. What does yours say, Rosie?”

“I’m kind of embarrassed. Can you go next, Sage?”

“Fine. This is what my profile says. Early to mid-twenties. Funny, sassy, single girl, looking for a man who can show her the moon, fly her to the stars, and enjoy chocolate, strawberry, and champagne with her.” I pause. “That’s as far as I got.”

“Wow,” Lucia says with a smile. “That sounds pretty damn good. Dang, girl. Maybe you should write all of ours.”

“I don’t think so. It’s not that good.”

“It’s better than mine.” Lucia grimaces. “Mine sounds like a boring, vapid woman wrote it. Trust me, it is way better than mine.”

“Let’s hear yours, Lucia.” I lean forward. “I have to hear it now.”