To Hook A Star

III

Even though both of them had a minimal grasp of Italian, the restaurant on the piazza wasn't easy to find. Still, the two of them made it there mostly by themselves, as there was no need to get their things stolen or pickpocketed for looking like lost tourists.

"I'm just saying, Moe," Athena said as Mia scowled at her and wiped away the sweat on her forehead. "He's buff, has an accent, and he's taller than you. Sounds like your type."

"Put the cheese away, Pretty Boy."

"I refuse. A mother just wants to see her daughter happy."

"I'm four days older than you." Finally, the small hole-in-the-wall that they found in an alleyway off the piazza called their name. They ordered glasses of wine and two different pasta dishes- though they both admittedly didn't care for alcohol, they were adults, damnit.

Exhausted, Mia tried not to fall asleep right then and there as the lights began to fade.

"I think my dream came true," Mia said across the table as if it were a secret, though they were the only people near close range that could have heard. Looking up at the stars, she grinned.

"My dream will come true when I am finally eating," Athena whispered back. "I am so incredibly hungry, I could devour this entire restaurant."

They laughed and joked until their waiter arrived with the food, carefully keeping an eye on the time. Finally, they finished, paying their bill and standing up from the metal table.

"Dessert?" Athena offered, crooking her right arm towards Mia.

"We shall," Mia said, giving a mock curtsey and looping her left arm through. They re-entered the crowd, though most of the hubbub had dissipated. There were many gelaterias, but they all seemed like tourist traps, so they settled on the one with the longest line.

The line moved slower than the chocolate covering the gelatos they sold. After ten minutes, Mia was knocked out of her dissociation by Athena's nudging elbow in her ribs. She gestured with her chin towards a broad figure with familiar blond hair that stood out from the rest of the crowd walking around the square.

"Tell me you have no admiration for that ass."

"Shut the fuck up."

"He makes khaki work. I would know; I went to Catholic school."

However, the object of their ogling turned around, bringing up his hand to wave. Mia lifted her hand to reciprocate, but Athena pulled it down just as quickly, turning her around to look behind them.

He was waving to a woman seated at the restaurant next to their line, and she had gotten up out of her chair to greet him. Probably just a little bit taller than Mia, she was dwarfed by him when they kissed each other's cheeks in hello. Her long, dark hair had a slight curl to it, the kind of wave that fluttered beautifully as they sat down and exchanged smiles.

"You've got competition," Athena said, a smile tugging at her lips as she tilted her head to one side. "Yeah, you can take her."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Mia groaned. "She's gorgeous. Hell, I'd date her."

"Well, if they're together, you know you fit his type." She gave a little shimmy. Mia shoved her, and Athena tripped, laughing. "Hey, you know I'm always right, sourpatch."

"Ugh, I can't believe I waved to him."

"Nope. Anxious Moe is going to shut up now." Athena put her hands over Mia's ears. They stepped forward in line, thankfully putting Robert and his lady friend out of sight as they entered the small building and were finally occupied with choosing their flavours.