Chapter 7

“Sounds like fun. Never seen you dance, Danny,” Michael says with a smile.

Maria raises an eyebrow, and Daniel knows it’s at the use of the nickname name. “Daniel is a great dancer. Why don’t you join us and see?”

There is a challenge in Maria’s voice. Daniel knows Michael will respond to that because he could never back down from a challenge, and by the smile on his face, that hasn’t changed.

“Okay, everyone is about to mingle anyway. If I don’t see you, I’ll meet you back at the house,” Michael says, looking back to his family, who all nod or agree some way.

“I didn’t agree to dance,” Daniel protests as Maria takes his nearly empty beer bottle and puts it down, taking his hand and trying to get him to stand, but she’s tiny and can’t make him budge.

Maria sighs. “Don’t be a spoil sport.”

“You know she’s like a dog with a bone. She won’t give up till you dance for at least one song,” Grace points out.

“One dance,” Daniel says, relenting.