The elevator doors part open and Jade steps out, wearing a little red dress and black heels. Behind her is Poppy, who has her hair pulled up into a tight pony, and behind her—Sloane. Her blonde hair is left wild over her shoulders, her blue eyes bright. I went big with my makeup tonight. Smoked-out eyes with sharp wings, beige lips, and deep bronzer and foundation. I am out for a good time, not a long time, so may as well look good doing it.

Jade wraps her arms around me. “You look hot!”

Poppy squeezes my waist. “Are you okay? I heard Wicked lost his utter shit at you the other day.”

I shrug, sliding the glasses over the black marble counter. “Just like old times.”

Poppy giggles, swooping up the glass and sitting on one of the barstools beside Sloane, who is still staring at me.

“Ahhh! I’ve heard so much about you two—” Betty saunters in behind me, running up to Poppy to give her a hug. “Hey, kid. Long time…”

Jade and Sloane say hello to Betty, who ignores Sloane. I know she’s being a good friend, and part of her doing that is waiting for Sloane and me to talk. She’s following my lead.

“Look,” Sloane breathes out. “Jade is my best friend and I don’t want this to be weird, so can we put everything out on the table.”

I take a small sip of 42. “Sure.” I’ve dealt with men three times her size and had guns pointed at my head, knives grazed over my skin. She doesn’t scare me one bit, but bless her for thinking so.

Sloane tucks her hair behind her ear. “It’s true, I am seeing Wicked.”

I blink slowly, the corner of my mouth curving in a small smirk.

“What’s funny?” She catches my smirk, her eyes narrowing.

“Ahh…” Jade grabs her by the arm.

I shake my head at Jade before going back to Sloane. “It’s just amusing to me that you think you’re seeing him.”

“Why?” Sloane whips her head back, clearly offended. “I get you have the whole badass, sexy vixen, mafia bitch thing going on, but I have been sleeping with him for years now.”

“Umm—” Poppy interferes, but I shake my head slightly at her.

“It’s amusing, Sloane, because I’ll tell you why.”

“Oh God,” Poppy murmurs in tune with Betty.