We finished dinner and the lights dimmed, spotlighting the band as they launched into Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore.” Plates were cleared and my waiter appeared by my side to drop off the dessert—a perfect, plump cannoli spilling out fresh cream, the crust dusted with powdered sugar. The crisp shell crunched and the cannoli filling was stuffed with chocolate chips.

Mom pushed it away. “I better not.”

“It’s the best cannoli I ever had,” I said. “Why are you so stuck on dieting when you’ve always been thin? Don’t you ever want to try anything new?”

She blinked. “I just get used to a routine,” she said slowly. “It’s easier not to make any mistakes.”

“That makes no sense, Mom. Enjoying food or indulging now and then isn’t going to blow up your orderly world.” Frustration shimmered through me. “Can’t you just eat the cannoli and be happy?”

I waited for her to lash back or give me a hurt look and ignore me. Lately, I’d noticed how easy it was for her to shut off from me when I annoyed her. But I watched with surprise as she pulled the plate toward her and took a bite of the dessert.

“You’re right. It’s really good.”

I held back a smile, not willing to give it up for now. At least, not yet.

I ate my pastry while I listened to the music. “Why don’t you ask Ian to dance?” Nonni asked, blotting her mouth with a napkin.

I shook my head. “No.”

“Why not?” she insisted. “You don’t have to marry him to dance with him.”

“I know! It’s just, well, I don’t really know how to slow dance.” Embarrassment flowed through me. It wasn’t like I had a dad to teach me, or went to dances or on tons of dates. The waiter appeared by my side and began clearing plates.

“Honey, dancing is easy! You just put your arms around the man’s shoulders and follow his lead. Do you want me to teach you?”

“Oh my God, no!” The thought of my grandmother showing me in front of our tour group made me want to die. “Forget it. I don’t want to know how to dance anyway. Can we please change the subject?”

She sighed. “Okay.”

Thankfully, she dropped it. Mom was chatting with Hana, Dan, and Kai, and I just sipped my water as some couples walked onto the dance floor. I watched Mary and Ray sway together. Their feet weaved a simple yet intricate-looking step that made both of their bodies become one. It was romantic, and I sighed a bit dreamily, with the background of a Roman castle and a full-fledged orchestra serenading a room full of beautifully dressed guests. It was fun to be involved in something different from high school parties and drunken beer pong.