“No, absolutely not, Alex. If you don't want Aria to run screaming from the dance floor, we beg you, do not do that!” Enzo said.
Adrian spoke up. “Well, I can’t say that you’d make it very far on one of those celebrity dance shows. Man, that was awful.”
Scowling, Alex drained half his bottle of water.
“It’s not that bad,” he growled, looking to hisdad for support.
“Eh, I have some paperwork to do,” Leonardo said, making a hasty retreat to his home office. Alex hung his head in defeat.
“Okay, here’s the plan,” Sofia said, holding her hand out for Adrian to help her off the sofa. “No fast songs. None! Got it?”
“Fine,” Alex answered with disdain.
“We don’t have time to do anything but work on the slow dancing. I’m sure that’s more important to you, right?” she asked, her eyebrows waggling.
Adrian and Enzo joined in, making kissing noises and hugging themselves.
Alex reached over and smacked both in the backs of their heads.
“How old are you?” he spit out.
“Adrian, turn on a nice romantic song. Enzo, get behind him and position his hands. Alex, come here,” Sofia demanded like she was heading up a military strike.
Alex stomped over to where she stood with her arms open in front of the fireplace mantel.
With Sofia barking out orders, Enzo held Alex’s arms out and pushed his chin up as Sofia slid in front of him.
“Okay, feel the rhythm of the song, nice and slow,” she said, looking up at her brother. “And don’t step on my feet with your giant clodhopper shoes.”
“I don’t have an issue feeling the beat, Sofia.”
“Obviously,” Enzo, Sofia and Adrian said sarcastically in unison.
“Ugh, Alex. You’re ruining my pedicure.”
“Man, forget it. We can’t teach him how to waltz in just a few hours,” Adrian said. “Let me have a try. I’m the best dancer out of all of us.”
“Why can’t I get a shot? You’re no better than me,” Enzo barked.
“You’re too short, little man. His big feet are going to crush your wittle tootsies,” Adrian said while Sofia snickered.
Glaring at Alex, Enzo growled, “That’s low man. Why did you ever tell him that stupid nickname from school?”
“Will you guys shut up and take this seriously? I don’t want to make a fool of myself with Aria,” Alex grumbled, dropping his hands and pushing Adrian away.
“Fine, fine. Listen. Just sway. Side to side. Don’t worry about moving around. Go on, try it,” Sofia barked, back in drill sergeant mode.
Alex sighed heavily, pushing his hair into a ponytail with a band he found in his jeans pocket. Shaking his hands out in preparation, he did as he was told.
Ten minutes later, he was starting to get the hang of it. Sofia joined him again and he only stepped on her feet a few more times.
“I think our work is done,” Adrian said as he stood to leave.
“Good luck, man,” Enzo said, tapping Alex on the back.
“Thanks, guys. And Enzo, I promise to dance with you next time,” Alex said.
Enzo pushed him when Alex tried to hug him.
