Page 28 of The Bluffing Game

“I suppose.” She shrugs.

“Why is money so important to you?”

“Security,” she says without any hesitation, playing with her fingers. She’s quiet as she looks out at the sun setting, and I let her think without asking any other questions. “My parents—well, my mom and my kinda dad …” She sighs as she makes a face. “I don’t really know what to call him anymore.”

“He’s still your dad, right?”

“Yeah, he’s still my dad, but it doesn’t feel the same, you know.” She wrinkles her nose, and I can tell from her tone that the words pain her. “It’s weird. Rosie and I, we grew up knowing our parents loved each other. Like absolutely adored each other. And they lived their life based on their love. We bounced around from place to place, on whatever whim either one of them had. And they always had whims. And they never had much money. Rosie and I never got to plant roots; we never got to make good friends; we never got to have a home.”

“You don’t need a billionaire to have a home.”

“Have you seen house prices?” She laughs and then nods. “A man with a lot of money would offer security for my life. For my peace of mind.” She shrugs. “I don’t care if you think I’m a gold digger, but it’s what I want.”

“Understandable, but then why won’t you let Lucia and me help?”

“I know you’re struggling at the restaurant, Dalton, and I am so grateful you and Lucia gave us those jobs, but I’m not going to take advantage of either of you. It’s a generous offer, but …” There’s a vulnerability to her face, and her voice seems uncertain and unsure.

I shift on the swing to face her. We stare at each other for a few seconds, and I lower my gaze to her ruby-red lips; I know I want to grab her around the neck, lower my lips, and kiss her. She needs to be taken care of, protected, and if I were in any other position in my life, I’d want to be that man. I feel that pull of chemistry between us, but I know I need to ignore it.

“You’re not taking advantage of us. I’m not even the one who offered.” I grab her hand, but drop it quickly after the look of surprise she gives me. “Why don’t we do a quick drive-by of the place and head inside so we can check it out? And then you can decide if you actually want to live there.”

“We don’t need to do that, Dalton. I don’t know why you keep persisting with this, but I am happy to figure it out myself. I don’t need anyone to⁠—”

“Let that wall down, Sage. I’m not trying to dictate your life to you. I’m just trying to see if this apartment is one you should be living in.”

“But it’s none of your business.” She folds her arms. “You don’t get to decide if you think we should be living there or not. Who made you the boss of me?”

“Um, Lucia did. I am literally your boss.” I smirk at her, and she groans.

“You know what I mean. Who made you the boss of my life?”

“I did.” I grin at her, but she doesn’t grin back. “Okay, so I’m guessing you’re going to be stubborn and move in.”

“I’m not being stubborn. You didn’t even know me this time last week. I didn’t even know you. How many other women who live there are you trying to help? Also, what would Gigi think?”

“What would Gigi think about what?”

“You trying to be my Prince Charming or knight in shining armor.”

“She wouldn’t believe it.” I throw my head back, laugh, and casually move my arm on the back of the swing. “What she knows and what you will hopefully realize is that I’m no Prince Charming, Sage. If I were in a fairy tale, I’d be the villain of the story.”

“Uh-huh, sure.” I can tell she doesn’t believe me.

For all her bravado, Sage is still pretty sheltered. She likely has no idea the shit she’s going to see at Sal’s place, but I can’t make her listen to me. Even though I know what I’m talking about.

“Do I look like a Prince Charming?”

“Do you want me to be honest?” She laughs loudly and shifts her body so she’s facing me full-on. “You look like the bad guy in a movie.”

“Ouch.”

“Not saying that you’re not handsome or anything, but you look like the morally gray guy who makes a viewer question all the decisions she makes in life.”

“So, I look like trouble?” Maybe she’s more astute than I thought she was.

“Yeah, you do. But you also act like a white knight, so who knows?”

“Who knows indeed.” I tap my foot against the ground.