Page 6 of Princess Seeks Dragon

Vincenzo pulls me under the glittering lights and puts his arm around me. We have big smiles, and my cheeks hurt from laughing at the musical comedy we just watched. I beamed, I cried, and I grabbed Vincenzo’s hand at intermission as we were tripping and stumbling back to our seats. It was a fairytale night.

“Wanna get some coffee on the way back to my hotel?” I ask as my mother finishes a frenzy of flashes. “I mean... Me, going to my hotel. Not you—”

“I know. That’s not a requirement of this whole deal,” he sighs. He looks down at his watch, an expensive gold piece with a dark lapis face and tiny diamonds set around it.

Damn. Loaded.

I’m not shallow... but I guess my mom’s tastes have started rubbing off on me in the last couple of hours.

“I can’t, I’m afraid. I have a few calls to make. But I’ll see you tomorrow, Angela.” He kisses my cheek, then my lips, soft and swift, blurring the lines between gentleman and flirt.

“Thank you for a wonderful time,” I whisper.

He cups my cheek and nods at me with a seriousness that I don’t fully understand.

“My stomach is all in knots,” I tell my mother as he leaves in his shiny black car.

“It’s butterflies!” she squeals. “Ronnie, tell her. It’s butterflies.”

“Butterflies, Angie. I’m telling you, Vincenzo is the man for you. He’s a good man, mature. Not like some of the young things you’ll find on campus, sniffing after a pretty rich girl like you.”

“I’m not rich! You’rerich.”

Ronnie stops fawning over my mother to cup my face in both hands, standing back with narrowed eyes, his face full of sincere admiration. Even love.

“You are mydaughter. What’s mine is yours and your mother’s. I had a hundred gals I could have married, a hundred chances to get someone knocked up and carrying my kid. I’m glad I waited, Angie. You’re the best daughter a man could ask for—and Vincenzo’s gonna treat you right. I know it.” He drops his hands and steps back, clearing his throat. “Because if he doesn’t, Papa Bear is gonna make it so he never walks again,capiche?”

“Aw, Dad. Stop it. I can take care of myself.”

Ronnie’s mouth drops. My mother squeals and spins on her stilettos. People stare.

“Shh, Mom, what’s the matter with you?” I hush, hurrying over and forcing her arms down. “People will think you won the lottery or something! We’re gonna get mugged.”

“That’s the first time you’ve ever called him Dad,” Mom whispers, tears filling her eyes.

“Now, that calls for butterscotch sundaes for my girls,” Ronnie claps his hands together. “C’mon, the night is young and so are we!”

Oh, wow. I guess it is. I haven’t called anyone Dad in... wow. Alongtime.

I guess travel really is broadening. I stop worrying for a little bit and just enjoy the life Ronnie is giving me. Theater tickets, hot dates, and sundaes as a midnight snack. He’s a good dad. I let him put his arm around my shoulders while his other drapes around my mother’s back, and we stroll like one happy little family.

***

“JOANNE, JOEY WANTSus there around five.”

“But, honey, dinner is at seven,” my mother steps out of the shower in the hotel suite.

Ronnie paces, rubbing his hands. “Business, honey. Put on your party face. Angie, are you wearing something pretty? Vincenzo’ll be there.”

“He’s a sweet boy,” Mom gushes, hurrying to the closet, selecting a flowing red dress with blousy, transparent sleeves. “How’s this, Ron?”

“Joey’ll be drooling—and that’s good.” Ronnie nods and paces, fist coming up to his chin. He rests his head on his clasped hands. As he paces, I see him take a few swings at the air, starting to shadow box.

“What’s the matter, Pops? You and Joey have a touchy contract to negotiate?” I asked.

“Ohh, it’s the same old thing. He always gets antsy after taxes. Doesn’t like someone else handling his books. Wants better security. Doesn’t like that my cousin is going to leave me the business.”

I slip back into my room of our palatial suite and pull off the sweatshirt and leggings I wore during my campus tour. “What business? What cousin?”

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