Page 56 of The Bluffing Game

“Basically, I just said that I’m looking for a hot guy to take me on fun dates with delicious meals.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“I also said that if he wants to spoil me and fly me to France, I’m open to it.” She makes a face. “Maybe I’m coming across as a gold digger, and I don’t really want that. I just want hot men with lots of money contacting me. And not too old.”

“That’s what we want,” Rosie says, giggling, “except we don’t necessarily care if they’re too old.”

“You guys have a thing for old men or something?”

“No, it’s just … Okay, look, I’m going to tell you both something because I love you both, and I really hope you don’t judge us, but it’s the truth.”

“What is it?” Izzy says, looking excited. “I want some juicy gossip.”

“It’s not that juicy. It’s just … we’re looking for billionaires.”

“Aren’t we all?” Lucia says with a giggle.

“No, I mean, we moved here in the hopes of meeting and marrying billionaires so that our lives would be easier, and we wouldn’t have to worry about money, and we could live in a home, and …” I stop. “I mean, it’s not really going to sound good any way that I put it, but …”

“Girl, we listen, and we don’t judge.” Lucia reaches over and grabs my hand. “Seriously. I don’t care if you’re looking for a billionaire. Kudos to you. There are so many jackass men out there. You might as well get one with money.”

“That’s exactly what we said,” Rosie says. “We were nervous to tell you because we didn’t want you to think that we were using you and …”

“Trust me, I’ve been around users my entire life, and you two are not users. I’m glad you told us because we will have to change up the venues that we go to.” She looks around the diner. “This place is cool, but I don’t think billionaires are coming here. And if you two are looking for billionaires, we have to go to the spots where we can find them.”

“Yeah, that would be cool. I wouldn’t mind a billionaire myself,” Izzy says with a giggle. “I mean, working two jobs isn’t for the faint of heart.”

“I know,” Lucia says. “Trust me, I don’t really like having to live like this and be supported by my brother. I know it’s putting a lot of strain on him now that he left the family business.” She makes a face. “I mean, I could always get my dad to support me, but …” She shakes her head.

This time, Izzy reaches over and grabs her. “I know you don’t want your dad to have to support you again.”

“Exactly.”

Rosie looks at me. I have no idea what the family business is or what Lucia is talking about, but she’s not offering more information, so I’m not going to pry.

“Anyway, I was thinking maybe we should all set a goal so that we can have our first date at the same time, and then we can discuss,” Lucia says, changing the subject. “Maybe we can try and have dates this weekend.”

“That would be cool.” Rosie nods in agreement.

“Yeah, that would be.” I lean back and fight the urge to grab my phone and see if I have any messages.

“I’m going to set up a group chat,” Izzy says. “Just specifically for dates so we can keep in touch and let each other know how the dates are going and if we need rescuing.”

I start laughing at the comment, and they all look at me.

“What’s so funny?” Izzy asks, looking worried, like she thinks I’m laughing at her eagerness.

“Your brother actually offered to be our protector if we wanted him.” I don’t tell them he really just said that he wanted to be my dating coach, and I’m certainly not going to mention the kiss. “Okay, girls, let’s work on our profiles again,” I say. “And then let’s reconvene in thirty minutes and read our profiles out loud again. And if they’re all good, we can go live and see if we can start getting those dates.”

“You guys want to watch a movie when we get back to our place?” Izzy says.

“What about How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days?” Rosie says excitedly. “That’s one of my favorite movies ever.”

“Oh, I love that one too,” Izzy says with a smile. “That sounds good.”

“Okay, so let’s finish our chili cheese fries and burgers, and then we’ll get going,” Lucia says.

I wonder if Lucia can read my mind. I wonder if she’s questioning the fact that her brother offered to be our protector. She knows him way better than me, so she knows if that is something he would do normally. I pray to God that it was. I don’t want her suspecting anything. Not that there is anything to suspect, of course.