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“I was under strict orders not to let any guy hit on Sera and Ivy,” he said.

I raised a brow at Miller and Al. They shrugged.

“No reporting to Sandro and Tommy,” I told them. “What happens in Cardo, stays in Cardo.”

Al grinned and did a zipped-lips gesture.

I narrowed my eyes at Miller, who groaned, “Don’t put me on the spot. You know how psychotic Sandro gets when it comes to you.”

“But he trusted you with me.”

“After the chewing out he gave me last time, I might as well be a eunuch.”

I laughed and grabbed Divina’s hand. “Let’s dance.” Poor Miller, I still felt bad about the way Sandro went off on him that first day I met him.

The classic eighties disco music had a rhythm that had us shaking our booties. Divina and I were dressed in little black numbers. My dress hit mid-thigh, and I was in heels. Ivy was wearing a light pink satin sleeveless dress from their summer collection, while Sera was wearing a black baby doll that was both sexy and cute.

The four of us formed a circle. “We should invite Liz next time. Renz is feeling better after all.”

“They’re busy getting the café ready to reopen,” Ivy said. “We’re planning a social media blast for that.”

“You’re a godsend. Maybe we can do one for Club Aristos.” I winked at Divina.

I had teased Sandro about it, but he said the success of Club Aristos depended on its mystique and lack of information.

A woman in a short skintight silver dress joined our circle. And although the neckline was high, it only accentuated her perfect proportions. She was taller than me, but maybe it was because of her pointy heels. She was facing Sera and Ivy, who were gawking at her.

Then Divina exclaimed, “Oh my God, you’re gorgeous!”

The woman, with an enviable blowout, turned to face us.

It was Sloane.

My mouth dropped open. “Woman, you’ve been hiding this rocking body and gorgeous face?”

“She wants to be appreciated for her other assets,” Divina yelled a little too loudly and caused heads to turn our way.

I could understand that, especially given the people she worked for. Instead of cleaning, they might force her to do something else.

“Thank you for inviting me,” she told Sera.

Sera flashed her a smile. Sloane didn’t accept money for her role in helping me escape, but the De Luccis extended her goodwill and other jobs. She was one of us now.

And just like the DJ had read my mind, the beats of “We Are Family” pitched in. We all laughed. We put our arms around each other and kicked toward the center. After that song, Sera and Ivy returned to the booth while Sloane, Divina, and I continued dancing.

The floor became more crowded and we started getting jostled. But when a woman stepped on my foot, that was when I knew I was done. “Ouch, watch it.”

The offending patron gave me a look and didn’t bother apologizing.

“Rude,” I mumbled. “I’m going back to the booth. You two okay?”

Both ladies gave a thumbs-up, so the next challenge was weaving through the crush of bodies while nursing my throbbing toe. I didn’t have the same longevity as I did in high school and college. Real responsibilities would do that. We should have stayed at home and played board games with my family. Thoughts spiraled in my head with what Dad had implied about being in a phase. I vehemently denied that. I was in this for the long haul.

So consumed was I with the conflict inside me, it took me a second to notice the man in a dark green rock-band tee was preventing my progress through the crowd.

He was dancing in front of me and sidestepping with me when I tried to move around him.

He clutched my elbows. “Dance with me, sweetheart.”