“No, no, be, of, boy.” Gini’s voice rose at the end of her statement.
“Well, princess, I guess it’s up to you if you want to ask him.”
Legotti
“Papa, I’m so glad you’re finally here.”
“Sorry, babe, the weather was terrible in Peru, and we couldn’t take off. My pilot tried his best to get wheels up, but it was too nasty. I called Mario and told him to come get me first before you leave for prom.”
“I don’t want to go until you see how gorgeous I am.”
“Me, either.”
Franco pulled up in front of Leman Manhattan private school. There were several formally dressed couples in the entry area. Lizzi wanted her father to be there and take her down to her date, a tradition of the school. She had been so worried he wasn’t going to make it.
“Papa!” She threw her arms around him.
“Let me see this expensive gown I purchased.”
She stepped back and twirled around. “It’s so… I mean… so fine. Thank you, Papa.”
“Mario knows everyone in New York City. I told him only the best designer would do for my sweet girl.”
“You spoil me.”
“I do.”
She hugged him again, taking his braided ponytail in her fingers. “You cut your hair.”
“Just a little. I didn’t want to scare this fine lad you say is taking you dancing.”
Her dark curls were pulled up in the back and held with the fancy jeweled combs Franco had given her when she moved into the boarding house. They were part of her mother’s jewelry he had given to her.
Virginia Legotti was announced, and she and her dad made their way down the wide, sweeping staircase.
“Escort, Leonardo Di Angelo.”
Many heads turned—was it for the beautiful girl or the extravagant father who led her into the room? He wore a black suit—custom-made—with an open-collared white shirt. His hair was sleeked back to a braided ponytail, and a red Chinese dragon tat showed off his neck and disappeared into his chest hairs.
Franco went to the young man in an Italian-made tux, shook his hand, and placed Lizzi’s hand on his arm. “You’d better be good to her,” he said, leaning forward.
“Yes, sir. I’m an honorable man.”
Lizzi laughed to herself, so much pomp and circumstance. Leo was a fun guy.
Santini
“Riccardo, up here,” Ric heard from the second floor.
He looked at Rosa. She shrugged her shoulders and brought her hands up.
“So, sweets, what’s with Riccardo? What happened to Dad or Daddy?”
“That’s so old school. Do you want to see my prom outfit?”
“Absolutely,” he said.
“Come on, Kat, you can help me with my outfit.”
Kat took his hand. “Thanks for letting me be a part of this.”
“Not a problem.”
A few minutes later Virginia came out of the bedroom in black short shorts and a bustier. The folded-up cuff on the shorts and the trim on the top front and straps were black satin.
“Hmm, what happened to long fancy dresses? I know I’m not that far out of touch.”
“This is for the after-party. Do you like?”
“And where is the after-party?”
“Oh, Dad, you know it’s here. Valentino is more excited than I am, I think.”
“Yes, he has been looking forward to it. You have put a lot of life in this house, and he loves you for it.”
“Want to see my dress?”
“Yes…” he drew out the word and winked at Kat when she looked at him, and then she went back in the room with Virginia.
“Oh, Gins, that’s beautiful.”
The dress was a Spanish style with colorful layers of reds and oranges accented with misshapen black dots, shorter in the front and long in the back. The bustier was visible in front.
Virginia unbuttoned the dress at the waistband and flung it open, to reveal the after-party outfit underneath. “Isn’t this just so cool?”
“Very. I love it. When is your mother getting here?”
“She’s not coming.” Virginia put her head down.
“Why not? Her condo is just a few miles down the beach.”
“Janet’s in Atlanta, left this morning.”
Ric closed his eyes and shook his head. She had promised her daughter she’d be there to see Virginia’s dress. “Sorry, sweets.” He kissed her on the forehead. “Edwardo is ready with the car whenever you are.”
“Edwardo?” she said, disappointed.
“I told you I wanted someone to keep an eye on the boy.”
“Only Edwardo?”
“Sweet Gins, do you want me to drive and chaperone?”
“Yes, Daddy, please.” She walked up and took his hands.
“You don’t have to ask me twice. We’ll take the white Bentley.”
“I love that car!”
“Okay, you finish getting ready, and I’ll go freshen up.”
Kat stood next to him. He gave her a quick kiss on the lips, stepped back, then wrapped his hand around the back of her head and kissed her long and deep. They walked to his room hand in hand.
Ric waited downstairs.
“You are so handsome, Ricky. You’re going to drive all those teenage girls crazy,” Kat said, waiting with him.
“Nah, I’m an old man.”
She put her hand on his face, gently dragging her long painted nails down his cheek. “Never old, always delicious.” She leaned forward to kiss him, but Virginia entered the room and took his attention.
“Oh, my, who is that beautiful young woman?”
Her thick, long hair rippled down her back—the ends in long curls. The colors of the dress accentuated the dark auburn color. She had just the right touch of makeup highlighting her light green eyes. Ric knew his daughter was a true knockout. He was going to have trouble keeping the boys in line.
He put out his arm, she slipped her hand over it, and they walked out together.
Young
It turned out that a bunch of kids went as a group date: Jessica
