I just shrugged. “Not if it's Rigby. But that other fucker who’s trying to sneak up behind to sandwich her between them is about to lose a limb,” I growled, watching some shitty clubgoer trying to move in on Nova, his eyes trained on her ass. I looked at Devan, but he was already halfway down the stairs. We all watched as he cut his way through the dancers, getting up in the face of the guy who was now only a foot away. I couldn’t tell what he was saying, but the guy held up his hands and moved away quickly. Devan situated himself behind Nova, and she looked over her shoulder and smiled at him. He kissed her shoulder, and they danced with her between them.

Turning back to Muss and Ludo, I saw they were both looking at me like I was crazy. And maybe from the outside it was. But to me, it was just right.

I shrugged again. “I hate dancing,” I said, like that explained everything. And to me, it did. I hated it, but Rigby moved like he was born to it. Even Devan didn’t mind it, if he found the right partner. So if my girl wanted to dance, she had two dance partners who’d keep her on the floor until her feet ached.

When we got home, I’d do my dancing horizontally on a bed. Or maybe against the wall. Or in the shower. It made sense to me.

Julieta slapped me on the shoulder. “I see the perks,” she teased with a wink, which made Muss grunt.

“Don’t go getting any ideas, woman. I’m way too much of a caveman to share.”

Julieta rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding? Like I need another man to take care of. It would be a constant cacophony of ‘Honey, have you seen my socks? J, have you seen my keys? Does this cut look infected?’” She mimicked Muss’s voice so good, I choked on my Coke. “No thank you. One man is enough for me. I’m too old for that shit.”

Muss grabbed her, tugging her onto his lap. “Julieta, you’re as fucking energetic as the Energizer Bunny and you know it.” Pulling her close, he whispered something in her ear that made her laugh and bite her bottom lip.

“Gross,” Ludo grunted. “It’s like watching your parents dirty talk.”

I laughed and went back to talking about work with Ludo, while Muss took Julieta back to the dance floor and moved like they were on their way to making baby number four.

Finally, Nova and the other guys reappeared, and she flopped down in my lap. A few hairs were sticking to the sweat on her brow, and I pushed them away, one hand wrapping around her waist to pull her tightly to my chest.