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“Hey there,Pigtails.” Idiot. “I mean, Pina. Look at you. So beautiful tonight.”
I saw my friend’s eyes growing like Garon just grew a second head right in front of her before she turned the color of ripe tomatoes.
“H-hello.” She stuttered. “You’re, umm, nice. I mean it’s nice to see you.”
“Come on, let’s grab a seat.” When he took her hand, I knew that her night was made.
At least I made her happy because on the other side of the room, Ariana looked like her puppy got rabies and bit her ankle. I have to admit, I wasn’t sorry about it.
“Hey.” Gaspino tapped me on the shoulder. “Giorgio is on the phone. He wants to talk to you.”
I took the phone and stepped away from the crowd to be able to hear him.
“Hello, big brother.”
“Hello, ballerina. I miss your face.”
“I miss yours too.” I haven’t seen him in a couple of months which was unusual because even now when all my brothers left the house, I got to meet with them constantly. On the other hand, Giorgio was always a little bit of a rogue who loved his alone time.
“I’m sorry I didn’t make it tonight, Grazia. When dad called me, I was already at the airport.”
“Where are you going this time?”
“London. I’m meeting some friends to work some things up.” He was as cryptic as I’d expected him to be.
“I don’t know what travel bug has gotten into you guys, but I swear to God, this family has not been in the same country all at once in over a year.”
“Life is short, Grazia, we have to enjoy it while we can. Anyway, I called to tell you how proud I am of you.” I rolled my eyes knowing that dad has instructed them to do all these things. I really made a big fuss just to keep Ariana from going out. “I don’t know what you want to do next, but the world is not ready for you. You’re one of a kind.”
“Thank you.”
“Any ballet school would be lucky to have you. Now tell me I’m your favorite brother.”
“Umm, I don’t know, the competition is kinda brutal.” I teased him.
“Little witch. You will change your mind when I come back and give you a custom made, handcrafted, pure silk pair of ballet shoes from Freed of London.”
My mouth dropped. Frederick Freed’s turn-shoes were legendary and they were in such high demand, it was almost impossible to get on their waiting list.
“You’re kidding.”
“I called Rosa Vitale and she gave me the specification. I’m picking them up before I fly back home.”
“Oh. My. God! I love you! Giorgio, I love you so much. You’re my favorite brother!”
“I told you! Talk to you later, kid. Get back to your party.”
“I will.”
Those shoes were worth all the trouble. I had to remember to thankBabbofor going through all this trouble just because I threw a little tantrum. We both knew he cared to make this right because my remarks weren’t entirely off mark, but I still appreciated it.
When I turned back, everyone was around the table except for Ariana who was pouting with a glass of champagne in her hand a few steps away. I felt a pinch of guilt so I went to her.
“Ari, thank you for coming.” She smiled and nodded. “Are you ok?”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you know I had other plans tonight.” Oh, yes, I knew that. “What is this party about anyway?”
“I’m going to Milano to visit a ballet school in a few weeks. I guessBabbojust wanted to celebrate the occasion.”Lie. “I told him not to make a big deal.” Another lie. I was getting good at this.
