Page 45 of The Bluffing Game

“I know.”

It was mostly me, but I didn’t mind. It was better than being squeezed up next to my parents, but it wasn’t the most ideal situation. I suppose that’s what happens when your parents are nomads and don’t really have much money.

“At least it wasn’t as bad as that apartment we rented.” Rosie giggles, putting a stop to the sad trip down memory lane. “I’m so grateful that Lucia and Izzy let us stay. And of course, that Dalton didn’t mind, seeing as he’s the one who pays the rent.” She makes a face. “I can’t believe he didn’t tell us that.”

“Yeah, I wish I had known he was the one paying the rent before I said we would live there,” I say, and my mind runs to Dalton.

I haven’t seen him since that night. He hasn’t been in the restaurant. He hasn’t been over to the condo. It’s almost like he doesn’t even exist, but obviously, I can’t forget him. I can’t forget his gray-blue eyes and the warm way they seem to stare right into my soul, but I am going to forget him because I need to concentrate on Lovestruck and finding a billionaire who can whisk me away to a paradise of perfection.

“It sucks that I haven’t seen Brett recently either.” Rosie lets out a sigh. “I was kind of hoping he’d show up here and ask me on a date or something, but I guess he’s just not interested.”

“It’s okay. You’re going to meet so many other men—much better men. It’s going to be absolutely⁠—”

The door opens, and Lucia walks into the room.

“Hey! Just wanted you to know that Dalton’s on the way. Not that you have to rush lunch or anything. We’re not super busy today. Ooh, and guess what!”

“What?” I ask her, my heart racing.

I can feel a buzz of excitement, but I’m not going to let it affect me. I don’t care if Dalton is coming or not.

“Izzy’s coming to work this evening as well, so it will be all four of us.” She grins. “I think it will be the first time that the whole group has worked at the same time.”

“Oh, yeah, that will be a lot of fun.” I nod and offer her some potato chips.

“No, thanks,” she says. “I just asked Gracie to make me some chicken tenders and French fries.” She grins. “So, I’m going to save my appetite for that super-healthy meal. You know she can always make you anything you want off the menu. We get to eat for free.”

“I know, but I feel bad taking free food from the restaurant, seeing as we’re not paying rent right now.”

“Don’t feel bad about it whatsoever. I understand though,” she says with a smile. “Anywho, I was talking with Izzy, and we were thinking we could all go through each other’s dating profiles and see what we would rate them out of ten.”

“Yay, that sounds like a lot of fun,” Rosie says. “I’m ready to get the dating started.”

“Me too.” I laugh. “That does sound fun. Though is Dalton going to be here all evening?”

“Oh, I doubt it. He generally doesn’t work here much.” She pauses. “Well, he kind of does other jobs to help pay for the rent here and stuff.” She looks down like she said too much.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s just really expensive for him to rent this building and pay all of us. And I’m sure you’ve noticed the restaurant isn’t super busy. We haven’t been open very long, and, well, he does other jobs to keep the money coming in.” She smiles awkwardly. “Don’t tell him I told you that though. I don’t think he would want me spreading it around.”

“That’s okay. I suppose he has a lot of responsibilities. What with Toby and everything.”

“Yeah.” She nods slowly. “I never thought that he would ever be a dad and certainly not in this circumstance, but I guess you just don’t really know people until they step up.”

“Hmm, meaning?” I ask her curiously.

“Well, he didn’t …” She pauses again. Her hand flies to her mouth. “Sorry, it’s not my story to tell, and I don’t think my brother would be happy if I continued this conversation.” She wrinkles her nose. “And with that, I should go back to the front and make sure that no customers are waiting to be seated.” She smiles and then quickly heads back out of the room.

“What was that about?” Rosie asks me as she munches on some more potato chips.

“I don’t know. I guess maybe Dalton had a one-night stand or something and didn’t know the woman was pregnant.”

“So, I guess he was never married then, huh?”

“I guess.” I shrug. “I mean, I haven’t asked him.”

“I’m not going to ask him either,” Rosie says, laughing. “So, do you think he’s going to bring Brett with him?”