Page 69 of The Bluffing Game

“Might have?” I grin. “What would have ensured a second date?”

“Don’t think I forgive you for being late, Dalton. Your charm and touch don’t erase that you took my time for granted.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. So, would you give me another date?”

“I don’t know,” she says. “I guess you’ll just have to see if there is a date two.”

“I’ll see, or your original date will have to see?” I want her to say me.

“I have absolutely no idea,” she says. Then she runs back up the stairs to the house like she’s Cinderella and the clock’s about to strike midnight. “I have to grab my stuff. I have to go.”

She stops at the top of the steps, looking like the belle of the ball and totally in charge. She blows me a confident kiss and then turns away slowly.

This woman has bewitched me.

I stand there and watch as she heads inside, then walk up slowly behind her. My lips still tingle from the kiss. It was a mistake to kiss her like that because I know once is never going to be enough, and even though I have rules, I am going to break every single one of them just for another chance to kiss and touch her again.

And I have to stop messaging her as Bradley. I don’t want to keep up the lie, no matter how much fun it has been chatting with her.

Chapter 19

SAGE

“Girls, I want to thank you so much for coming with me this evening,” Izzy says in a soft voice as we stand outside of the bar. “I know this might be kind of crazy, but I really need to see for myself what’s going on.”

I look over at Rosie, who offers me a warm smile, and Lucia grabs Izzy’s hand.

“Hey, we’re here for you, girl. I hope that whatever you find out tonight, you make the right decision.”

Izzy nods. “I can’t believe I’ve gone to this new low of spying on my boyfriend, but if he’s still seeing Kendra, that’s it. It’s over. He knows I’m not okay with this open relationship. He knows I don’t want him to see other people. He can’t have his cake and eat it too.”

“Yeah,” I say. “It was messed up when he told you he didn’t want you on the dating app. I mean, you guys are either monogamous or you’re not. If he’s continuing to see people while telling you that you can’t, well, that’s not cool.”

Izzy swallows hard and takes a deep breath. “I’m scared of what I’m going to see.”

“We got you, girl,” Rosie says. “I’ve never spied on a man before though. This should be interesting.”

“Oh my gosh, I’m horrible, aren’t I? I’m spying on my boyfriend. Should we leave?”

Lucia raises her voice. “Girl, we all look amazing tonight. We’re going to go in there, and we’re going to have fun, no matter what.”

Izzy nods. “You’re right. I’m going to be strong. I can do this.”

“Plus, I have my own news to tell you guys,” I say, swallowing hard, looking guiltily at all of them.

I don’t really want to tell them about the kiss that Dalton and I shared, but I can no longer keep it to myself. I’m so confused and conflicted, and even though Lucia is his sister and Rosie knows I’m looking for a billionaire, I need to tell someone. And these are my friends. I know I can trust them.

“Oh my gosh, what’s going on?” Izzy asks, her eyes widening.

“Not yet. Let’s go inside and grab some drinks, and then I’ll tell you everything.”

We walk into the bar, and immediately, I notice it’s crowded and dark and very loud. Lucia and Izzy look around, and then Lucia finds a booth in the corner.

“This is a good spot,” she says as we head over to the back booth. “We’ll be able to see people as they come in and check out the room, and unless someone’s looking at the back, they’re not going to notice us.”

“You mean, if Colton checks out the back?” Izzy says, swallowing.

“Yeah, I don’t care if he sees us,” Lucia says. “In fact, I hope he sees us because if he’s here with Kendra, I will⁠—”