Ginger knew how to work a dance floor. They had great moves and they weren’t afraid to show them off, which made Chloe like them even more. They joked and talked about the guys’ banter, finding boyfriends for the single girls, and the adoption event. The list went on, and Chloe enjoyed every second of it. She loved the group of close-knit friends who were starting to feel like family.
Conroy and Rob broke through the crowd and swept their wives into their arms, slow dancing to the fast song. The love in their eyes was tangible, reminding Chloe of the way Justin looked at her. She glanced at Justin, catching him watching her with a protective and lascivious look in his eyes. She had no idea how he could show both emotions at once, but she loved it. She turned up the heat on her dance moves, just for him.
Serena followed her gaze, dancing close so her words hit Chloe’s ears only. “He’s mad about you.”
“I know,” Chloe said, taking stock in how good it felt to hear her sister say it.
“They all are, Chloe. You fit here. I know you love our friends from Bayside, but I’ve never seen you look so comfortable in a big group like this. I’m seeing parts of you I’ve never seen before, and I’ve known you my whole life. It’s like you were treading water, and Justin pulled you out and set you free.”
Chloe stopped dancing, meeting Serena’s gaze. She hadn’t been living underwater. She’d been living in the shadows of her past.
Serena leaned closer and said, “I think you found your family.”
Family. Chloe choked up. She looked at Justin, who was rising to his feet along with Drake and several of the other guys. They strode toward the dance floor, shoulder to shoulder, with Tank taking up the rear. Justin felt like family.
“What a beautiful sight they are,” Chloe said, drawing Serena’s eyes to her husband, who was walking beside Justin with his eyes locked on Serena.
Serena grabbed Chloe’s hand and said, “How many years did we dream of being this happy?”
“I’d say forever, but our forevers have just begun. We dreamed of it for a very long time, Serena.” As the guys began pairing up with the girls, she said, “Now it’s our turn to live it.”
Justin bowed his head to speak to Tank, their ever-present steady sentry, who stood with his arms crossed, eagle eyes taking everything in from the edge of the dance floor. Madigan ran over and tried to tug Tank onto the dance floor, but he was immovable. Justin said something as he patted Tank’s arm; then he headed for Chloe.
“Hello, beautiful.” He swept her into his arms, his loving eyes holding her captive as they danced.
“What took you so long, Mr. Wicked?”
“I was savoring the view of my favorite girl, but you were busy checking out other views.” He kissed her softly and whispered, “The only man you should be looking at is the one holding you in his arms.”
She knew he wasn’t jealous. He knew she was crazy about him, and he was letting her know he saw everything. Chloe was okay with that. She wound her arms around his neck and said, “I disagree.”
His brows slanted in confusion.
She leaned closer, never missing a step of the dance as she said, “When you’re falling for a man, you fall for his family and friends, too, his world. It’s perfectly reasonable for me to take pleasure in the happiness of your family and friends.”
“In that case, darlin’, you can look your fill.” He nipped at her lower lip and said, “But are you ever going to stop fucking with me?”
She whispered, “Probably not.”
He lowered his lips to hers, taking her in an exquisitely long kiss. When the band stopped playing, everyone else left the dance floor. Chloe moved to follow them, but Justin held her tighter.
“Not yet,” he said softly.
An army of Dark Knights surrounded the dance floor, arms crossed. Just beyond them, Serena and the girls were huddled together whispering behind their hands.
“Justin, everyone is looking at us,” she whispered urgently. “We should go sit down.”
“I think that would be a really bad idea. They’re about to play our song.”
Delight and curiosity bloomed inside her. “We don’t have a song.”
“We do now.”
Justin looked at the stage, where Zander stood at the microphone holding a guitar, and he nodded. Zander began strumming the guitar, singing a slow rendition of “Uptown Girl.” Chloe felt her cheeks flame