"No."He smirks back.Then his sexy sideways grin spreads across his face."I thought I'm ready to take you bed."
"It's still too early."
"Then help me take my mind off your perfect pussy.Tell me what trickery you are planning for Antonio and Gio.I see your wheels churning."
I grin at him."I'm thinking about pushing those two back together."
"Let me know if I can help."
I smile at him."Thanks.I will."
"It'll cost you."
I chuckle."Now who's tricking who?"
The DJ steps to the mic and says, "Antonio, you're next."
He looks around, confused.Aurei says, "You're up, cuz!"
"Which one of you paid him more than me?"He laughs and stands.No one says anything as he digs in his pocket."How much more is this going to cost me to get out of it?"Still, no one says anything."I guess I'll have to go find out."
As he walks by, I take Aurei's hand and pull him up."We don't want to miss this."I wave to Gio."Come on."
As the three of us walk to the stage, I tell her."Stand right in front."
She watches Antonio as he talks to the DJ."Why?"
"He's not getting out of it."I put her in position."Stand right here and enjoy his performance."
She looks at Aurei, and he says."Stand right in front so he can sing to you."
"Ok!"She says and looks at me."You paid the DJ?"
I wink at her, then the DJ says."My bad.It's Siri and Oriana first, then you, Antonio."
Oriana gives a little squeal and jumps up.Antonio jumps down, frowning, and tells us."Looks like someone has paid handsomely to control the show."He looks at Gio, and she smiles at him.
"Don't be a party tooter.It's fun!"
"It's party pooper."He smirks.
She rolls her eyes, flirting with him."Tooter, Pooter.Pooper.What's the difference?"
He starts to laugh now and says."Never mind."
When Oriana steps up on the stage, Aurei lifts me up.The DJ is holding two microphones.She takes one and brings me the other.She is all smiles, "I love this song!We are going to win!"
I grin at her."Let's put this away!"
When we get in position, I see that Augustus is standing next to Aurei.He leans in and whispers something to him.They talk, then Aurei looks back to their table.I look too for the first time and see that Zita and Bob aren't there.Only Milo and Vanessa.She must be getting ready to crown Aurei King.I smile down at him.He's going to be a noble ruler!
Oriana and I sing a duet to "Anything Could Happen."She sings first in alto, and I sing the soprano.As we sing, I watch Antonio and Gio trying to decide if I'm going to go along with my original idea or not.They are talking and smiling, but not touching yet.When the song is over, there is clapping, and I thank Oriana.She waves bye as she hands the mic back to the DJ.
Antonio comes up and stands by me.I hold the mic down by my side."Gio is having a good time, isn't she?"
"Yes."He looks down on her.
"I like her, Antonio.She's a good woman."
