Page 6 of The Bluffing Game

“Not joking.” He pauses long enough to let me know he’s still got my back, no matter what I need him to do.

Roman has always been more like a brother to me. We’ve been friends since we were four, and I trust him with my life.

“I know. I’m headed home … from getting a massage.” I can’t stop the grunt from escaping. “Only she was hoping for more.”

“Shit, you didn’t finally accept a massage from slippery Helen?”

“It’s Ellen, and I did.”

“What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking she was a professional masseuse who could help take the knots out of my shoulders. I mean, that is her job.”

“But she’s always giving you eyes, man.”

“I guess I missed that.”

“She made a move?” He chuckles loudly, and I know he already knows the answer to that question. “Of course she made a move. You’re the fourth guy this month. Don’t you listen when the guys talk?”

“I have other things on my mind, like a restaurant to run, a son to raise, a⁠—”

“A lady to find?”

“I’m not looking for a lady.”

“A man then?”

“Very funny, Roman.”

“Just saying, I’m supportive.”

“I very much like the pussy, thank you very much. I’m just not in any state to be dating or getting into a relationship.”

The thought of introducing a woman into my life right now makes my blood boil and my head pound. The stress of keeping a woman happy is the last thing on my mind at this stage in my life. Not that I don’t appreciate being with a woman. I truly appreciate their soft curves and seductive smiles, but I don’t have time for distractions right now.

“Do I have to wash your mouth out with soap, Dalton?” Roman says, like he doesn’t utter the word in every other sentence. “Is that how you refer to⁠—”

“Shuddup.” I laugh as the monitor in front of me notifies me that my sister has sent me another text message. “Remind me to never leave Lucia in charge at Mama’s Kitchen again.”

“What’s she done now?” he drawls in a humorous tone.

Roman knows my sister almost as well as I do, and he knows that high jinks should be her middle name. There’s not a job she’s had where disaster has not existed.

“What hasn’t she done? It sounds like I should be happy the walls are still standing.”

“Need me to talk to her for you and give her some training? You know I run a tight ship.”

“I run a tight ship as well. She doesn’t care because I’m her brother and she knows I won’t fire her.”

“Yes, she and Izzy have some amazing perks. They can both do what they want and not get fired.” He laughs like he told the funniest joke in the world.

“Well, Izzy has been her best friend since they were four. I can hardly fire her, even though every time I’m there, all I hear her talking about is her boyfriend and the idiotic things that he does. I don’t know why she’s still dating that fool.”

“I don’t know why or how most women put up with men. But I love that they do.” Roman pauses, and I hear a car door slam in the background. I bet he’s about to head home or to the bar. “Are they dating anyone now?”

“Is who dating anyone now?” I ask distractedly as I pull up to my front gate and type in the code. The automatic openers I have are in my other vehicles, and I mentally remind myself to get a new opener for the Mercedes.

“Lucia—is she dating anyone?” He clears his throat. “And, uh, Izzy as well. Is she dating anyone? I’m just curious.”