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I frowned. “It’s only a few years.”
“Right. Go now.”
I said goodbye one more time and left. Just as I was walking under the arch of yellow roses that was growing around my front door, Ari was parking the car on the curb. It looked like she decided to ditch the driver for the day and take out her hot pink convertible. It was a BMW her father customized for her to look like Barbie’s car.
Santo, the lead guard, was waiting for me by the gate with a smile on his face. He was one of my favorites.
“Have a good day out, Miss Caputo.”
“Thank you, Santo. Just so you know, Delfina is makingBombolonitoday.” I knew for a fact he loved those doughnuts and I was sure he had a thing for Delfina too. I’ve been trying to bring them together for a while now.
“Ah, I should make sure to go and see her then.”
“You should.” I nodded to the flowers around us. “Pick out a rose for her. She’ll love it.”
“Thank you for the advice, Miss Caputo.”
He opened the gate for me and I ran across the street to where the girls were parked. The moment Ariana saw me, she threw away her glasses and cheered.
“Grazia, look at you! You are so pretty today!” She was exceptionally cheerful.
“Thanks. Umm, you too.” It wasn’t a lie. Ariana always looked her best, with her icy blonde hair and deep brown eyes, but ever since I had that talk with Pina, I just felt like there was a block of ice between me and Ari.
“I hope you two are ready,” she continued, “because I need to find the perfect dress and it will take us some time. I don’t want to hear any complaints,comprendere?”[21]
“Yes! I didn’t have a ballet class today, so my feet are perfectly rested. I’m ready to march.”
And we marched! Ari dragged us to every single one of the stores. From the local boutiques at the entry onVia della Libertàall the way to the big brand shops. At least when we made it to the Gabbana store, she got twelve dresses to try while Pina and I got to sit down for a moment and enjoy some champagne.
“This one is perfect, Ari.” I tried my luck with the pink cocktail dress she was parading around, hoping we could finally be done shopping. I was hungry and tired.
“No, it’s not short enough.”
I looked along her long, uncovered legs.
“Oh, I think it is.”
“Didn’t you hear when I said I have to find the perfect dress? This one is too sweet. I need something that can drive any man crazy.”
Pina lost interest and turned to her phone, so it was on me now.
“Oh, are you going on a date?”
“No, just a party outside of town.”
“Far?”
“No. It’s a wine bar opening in Aspara. A friend owns it and it’s such a romantic place.” She found my eyes in the mirror in front of her and I saw a spark. “I’m not leaving that party alone.”
“You’re going on a hunt.”
“You bet I am. And this dress won’t do. I saw a black one that might be better.”
“You don’t mind if I run across the street really fast to get some ice cream, do you? I’m hungry.”
Ari rolled her eyes. “Sure, but you don’t have to rub it in my face that you can eat all the sugar you want and not get fat.”
“I’m not. Do you want anything?”
