“He was sexy,” Allegra added with a mischievous wink. “Right, Nonni?”

“Oh, shush, he was average. But I was getting a bit concerned when he began to follow us down the street, and every time I looked back, he stared at us. He wasn’t even trying to hide. So, I lost my temper.”

Allegra jumped in. “Nonni suddenly turns around and says, ‘What are you staring at? Don’t you know that’s rude?’ and he starts apologizing and says he was struck by beauty and he didn’t know what to do so he decided to follow us, and Nonni starts telling him he shouldn’t be trailing after young girls because it’s wrong, and he said, ‘But, signora, it is you I’m interested in!’ And then Nonni got all red and started stuttering—”

“I did not stutter! I was just surprised. My goodness, he was much younger than me!”

“Well, you guys were adorable, and then he asked for Nonni’s number and said he would love to take her to dinner!”

My eyes widened and I began laughing with them. “Mom, you’re getting more play than either of us,” I teased. “I think it’s those hot shoes.”

Her sensible, thick-soled nude loafers had been a target of insults from me and Allegra, as we’d tried to cajole my mother into wearing regular padded sandals. “Very funny,” my mother said. “Don’t come crying to me when you all have blisters or slip and fall.”

“Did you say yes to dinner?” Enzo asked, his brow arched.

“Oh, goodness no. I told him I was on a tour and would be leaving Rome in a few days.”

Allegra sighed. “I told her to go. He seemed very nice.”

My mother looked horrified. “I don’t even know him! Besides, I’m here to spend time with my family—not gallivant with strange men.”

“I think it’s awesome,” my daughter said with twinkling eyes. “I hope I’m just like you when I’m older.”

I knew the comment was innocent, but it still stung. I’d always been proud to show my daughter what a strong woman could do alone. But it seemed she respected her grandmother’s choices more.

“Better to be like your mom. She would have said yes to an adventure.”

Allegra rolled her eyes and a moment of awkward silence fell upon us. It was obvious my daughter disagreed with her theory but didn’t want to say it aloud. Enzo glanced back and forth between us with a curious look, and I cleared my throat. “Well, I’m sorry I missed lunch and the gelato. Maybe we can walk around and explore. Shop a bit.”

“Oh, I’d love to do some shopping. It would be nice to get a new scarf,” Mom said.

I decided a good bribe was in order to gain my daughter’s forgiveness. “Allegra, I thought it’d be nice to pick up a piece of jewelry. Something that makes you remember our trip,” I suggested. “Maybe a bracelet or necklace?”

Allegra shrugged. “I don’t need anything.”