His eyes narrow a tad."Yes.She is."
Augustus meets Oriana at the steps.We talk as they return to their table.
"How long have you two been married?"
"A lifetime."
I laugh."Hardly!"
He chuckles."We married too young."
"Oh.Why?"
Now he gives me his full attention."We were madly in love."
"Were?What happened?"
He gives me a sad smile."Children."
"Oh!Not enough time in the day?"
"She lost her spark."
"Ah.Well, she seems to be finding it again."I smile at him and hand him the mic."Here you go."
He puts the mic in the stand as Aurei helps me off, then he steps up to cheers and hoots.He holds his hands out to calm them."I will punish the person or person's that paid off the DJ when I find out who, but I will not forfeit, so I'll sing."His song is "Locked Away" by R.City, featuring Adam Levine.Almost instantly, the lyrics transform both him and Gio.The words ask if the woman he loves would stay with him if he lost everything and got locked away.If he couldn't buy her fancy things, would she leave?At first, Gio stands still, and I groove next to her, offering moral support.But when the rap starts, his eyes keep falling on her, and she begins to groove for him.
Aurei takes my hand."You amaze me!"I dance a Salsa step to the song.
"Continue to be amazed."I wink at him when the song ends.
Antonio jumps down and stands in front of Gio.Neither of them speak, but the DJ announces."Gio.It's your turn."
She turns a surprised look at me."Me?"
Antonio says."If I have to, you have to."He lifts her up, then he walks up and stares at me, knowing who paid the DJ off now.
I smile, knowing Aurei is grinning at him."Don't go.You're going to sing again."
He looks at Aurei, and Aurei says."It's what she does."
He turns silently around and watches Gio as she prepares to sing.She takes a deep breath, then sings "Big Sky" by Rachel Loy.The song is about a woman who is left alone and is lonely.How she is young but feels old.How an older woman gives her advice about being bold because time is slipping away from her.Time she can't get back.Don't be afraid.Live with passion!Gio gives a fantastic performance.She has come out of her shell and sings with confidence.She tells Antonio with the song that she's not going to live in solitude anymore.
We stand next to him, not dancing but watching Gio too.I can see Antonio's body tensing.I hope he stays.Several times he looks over at Aurei, and Aurei ignores him, keeping his eyes glued on Gio.I slip my hand into his, and he opens his fingers, letting mine slide between, then he squeezes me.Sweet Zeus, I love him!
When the song is over, Gio turns to walk to the end of the stage, but Antonio steps up and calls her over.She looks down on him, and he says."I'm supposed to sing to you again."
The DJ confirms it."Antonio.Dude.You're up again."
He sets Gio down, then hops back up.He steps bravely to the mic and sings "Anything Goes" by Randy Houser.As soon as the words sink in, the pain in his eyes is evident, and the cry in his voice is real.Gio stands stock still, then she hangs her head, and I see her shoulders shake.I slip my arm around them.The song is about a man who turns to cheating on his wife because she has withdrawn from him.
The dance floor is quiet when the song ends.The DJ says."Maximus."
Aurei looks at me and holds out his hand.I leave Gio's side as Antonio jumps down, and I lay my hand softly on Aurei's.His thumb strokes me, and shivers shoot up my arm."What am I singing?"
I smile."You are singing a love song they need to hear.Now go amaze me."I turn him around and push.
Antonio is standing in front of Gio.His hands are on her shoulders, and his thumbs are stroking her.She is trying to gather herself before she looks up at him.Antonio glances at me, and the pain is still there.
