We’re standing in front of a gorgeous woman. The same one I saw with “Moana” a few days ago. Looks like she knew exactly where her mother was.
“Moana, is this your mommy?”
She giggles infectiously. “No. My mommy is in Paris right now. This is my nanny, Isabella. But she told me I could have ice cream if I asked you to help me find my mommy. She said it was a tiny lie, so I won’t get in trouble.” She gives me a proud smile.
Isabella laughs. “Yes, that’s right, go ahead and grab some ice cream off the desserts table,Ariel. But don’t tell your father.”
Ah, Disney princess names, I gather.
Moana/Ariel wastes no time bolting to her reward as I regard Isabella with a confused smile. She waves for me to join her at her table.
“Sorry about the theatrics. I saw that guy getting a little too close for comfort and read your body language. Then Imayhave bribed the kid with sweets to defuse the situation. I hope I didn’t read the interaction wrong.” She winces slightly.
I smile and raise my hand for the passing waiter, who’s holding up a full tray of champagne. I swipe two glasses and offer one to my new friend. From where I’m sitting, I can see Mr. B. has already moved on to another blonde. Glad to know I’m off his radar.
“No, you didn’t read it wrong. Thanks for the save. Nice to know that even at places like this, women can still look out for each other.” We clink our glasses and drink.
She looks over my shoulder and grins. “Yes, I got your back, girl. Although I will say, if that man approaching is here to maul you, and you’re not down, I’ll gladly take your place.”
I turn to look over my shoulder and literally lose my breath at the sight of Tony approaching.
He’s wearing a tailored black suit, a white dress shirt, and shiny black shoes. But the final nail in my coffin? The bowtie he didn’t bother tying. Instead, it’s draped around his neck so it trails onto his shirt.
I don’t care that I’m openly gawking at him.
This man must already know the effect he has on me. But seeing him in a suit makes me question how babies are made. Because I’m clearly carrying his twins as we speak.
Moana/Ariel returns to our table at the same time Tony reaches me. She gasps when she looks at him, and I can’t hold back my chuckle. Antonio is a big guy, something that I sometimes forget until we’re standing side by side. But I imagine he looks like an absolute giant to this little girl.
“Excuse me, mister. Are you Maui?”
Without missing a beat, he says, “Yes. The demigod. Are you Moana, by any chance?” he asks with mock seriousness.
Triplets. That definitely popped another baby in me.
She screeches. “I was Moana earlier, and Ariel before that, but now I’m Cinderella since we’re getting closer to midnight.” She looks between Tony and me. “Are you her boyfriend? Because if you’re not, you should be. You’d make a perfect Disney couple.”
I take a long sip of my drink, letting Tony tackle that one. His eyes twinkle as he squats down to her level. “Can I tell you a secret?”
She nods her head enthusiastically. He cups a hand over his mouth and whispers something into her ear that has her eyes widening dramatically.
“Really?” she gasps.
He nods. “But it’s a secret. So you can’t tell her, okay?”
She immediately shoots out her pinky finger, and he laughs. “Glad to see you know the rules of being sworn to secrecy.” He takes her pinky in his and nods.
“Okay, but you’re gonna tell her eventually, right?” she implores.
He looks up at me while he answers. “Yeah, I think I will.”
27
Antonio
After our pinky promise,our little Disney princess begged Nikki and me to get on the dance floor since, and I quote, “Every princess needs to dance with her prince at the ball. Duh, you dummy.”
Nikki and I are dancing to something slow and sensual. Our eyes are locked on each other’s, yet we don’t dare speak or break the spell we’ve fallen under. We seem to be having a conversation without words, and it’s safe to say we’re both well aware that we’re no longer acting as if we intend on being just friends. Not when her hands roam my chest on their way up to rest on the back of my neck so she can play with the little hairs that are starting to curl. Or when my hands move from her waist to her lower back, dangerously close to her ass, keeping her as close to me as possible.
