Suddenly the song “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot played.
Autumn raised her eyebrows, “You expect me to dance, in a dress no less, to that?”
“Come on, it’s easy!” Vera stood next to her. “Just follow whatever they do on the screen and watch me.”
As she watched the screen, Autumn tried to mimic the cartoonish character and turned to watch as Vera made the hand movements quickly. Attempting to do the same thing, she felt the heat move up her neck as Nico watched her. His lips twitched as if trying to keep his laughter in check.
She heard the kids giggling nearby and shook her head. This was not working well.
After the song ended, she smoothed her hand through her hair with a glance in Vera’s direction. “I think I’d rather play Twister.”
Someone next to her tugged on her dress. Autumn looked down to see it was the little girl Maria, Nico carried off earlier. Autumn leaned down to her height, and the little girl whispered, “What’s Twister?”
“Uhm, a really old game where you have to be a ballerina to win.”
“Really?” Maria’s eyes widened, the blue color taking up most of her face. She looked over at Nico. “I want to play Twister!”
“Uh, you might have to ask Nonna and your mamma first,Principessa.”
“Aww! You’re no fun!” Maria pouted and stomped her little feet with her arms crossed over her chest.
“Sometimes being no fun is a good thing,la mia bambina.”
Everyone in the room stopped talking, including the kids. They huddled together and whispered amongst themselves.
Autumn turned to see a woman in a black dress with long, curly, dark hair and silver sprinkled throughout. She stared between Autumn and Nico, whose deep brown eyes softened.
“Nico, it’s been a long time,tesoro.”
Nico walked over and took her hand. He kissed the back of it, then kissed both of her cheeks. “Luna, it’s always good to see you.”
“Hmm, always the charmer, Nico.” She smiled at him, then she beckoned to Autumn. “Come, child, let me see you better.”
Chills moved up and down her spine as all eyes moved on her. This was nothing like staring a killer in the eyes. It was like being inspected as if she were a horse on the auction block. They held each other’s eyes briefly, then the older woman nodded.
“Do I need to curtsy?” Autumn smiled.
“No, but perhaps a talk tomorrow while we tread on the grapes?” The older woman raised an eyebrow.
Autumn’s eyebrows furrowed, “Tread on grapes?”
“I’m sure she would love that,” Nico murmured. Then he whispered in Autumn’s ear. “Stomping on grapes, it’s the traditional way of making wine.”
“Making wine?”
Luna interrupted their conversation and raised an eyebrow, “Let her answer for herself, yeah?”
Nico winced. “Yes, ma’am.”
Autumn looked between the two, then nodded. “That would be nice, but I’m afraid we can’t stay long.”
“You can stay for as long as you like. I would like to visit with the woman who finally caught our Nico’s fancy.” Luna raised her chin, her stare directed at Autumn.
“Mrs—”
“Just call me Luna.” There was intelligence in those dark eyes. Autumn had a feeling the older woman knew exactly who she was.
“Luna, I have to get back to work—”
