Page 95 of The Bluffing Game

“Yeah,” he grunts. “You can do that. Anyway, I should get working on these two Bloody Marys. They’re not going to make themselves. You and your sister have a great evening.”

“Thanks, Jimmy. I’ll see you later.”

I head to the front of the restaurant, where Rosie’s waiting, and she smiles at me.

“So, any good tea?”

“From who, Jimmy?”

“I don’t know. He likes to gossip with the best of them.”

“No, he was just saying that Brett asked him a couple of questions because he’s lived in town so long and there’s a possibility he might know who my birth dad is.”

“Oh, cool,” Rosie says. “Well, I hope Brett gets the answers you need. Are you going to see him anytime soon?” she adds coyly. “Hey, a girl’s got to ask.”

“Brett is not the one for you, Rosie, and it’s got nothing to do with the fact that he’s not a billionaire. He’s just—he’s not personable, you know? He’s not going to sweep you off your feet and be romantic, and I know that’s everything you’re looking for in a man.”

“I know,” she says. “I just … oh.” Her mouth gapes. “Speak of the devil.”

“What?” I look up, and I want to groan.

Dalton and Brett are headed toward us.

“Should I say anything?”

“What do you mean, should you say anything? Say hello and leave it at that. Do not ask the man out or anything like that.”

“I’m not going to do that,” Rosie says, and I notice that she starts playing with her hair.

“Hey there, Sage,” Dalton says with a smile, and he kisses me on the cheek. “Looking beautiful this afternoon.”

“And you’re looking mighty handsome yourself, kind sir.”

“Well, I thank you,” he jokes.

Brett looks at Rosie and nods. “Hey.”

“Hello, Brett.” I’m proud that Rosie’s not overly gushing. “Hi, Dalton,” she says.

“Hey, Rosie. Good to see you again. You on the way home?”

“Yeah, I think Sage and I are going to get a drink, and I know she’s meeting you afterward, so I’ll probably just hang out at the bar and have some fun by myself, see what trouble I can get into with some of the local men.”

Brett’s eyes swivel to hers, and he shakes his head. “That doesn’t sound like a good idea,” he says under his breath.

“Excuse me?” Rosie says.

“I said, it doesn’t sound like a good idea that you should⁠—”

“Hey, Sage, can I speak to you for a second?” Dalton grabs my hand, and we head outside the restaurant.

“Oh my gosh, every time Brett sees Rosie, he goes out of his way to irritate her,” I say to Dalton. “What’s his problem?”

“I didn’t even notice,” he says, shrugging. “I needed to speak to you about something.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah.” He grabs my hand and squeezes. “I have to cancel our plans for the evening.”