That almost made Tony laugh, except he was supposed to be keeping up with this story, and it didn't seem so outlandish as he caught her in a sweeping dip with a smirk. He did know what cotillion was, and the sensation of meticulously knotting his tie, and looking hopefully for his mom in the crowd for the second of eye contact that would reassure him. Most tangibly, he knew his heart had always had the same anxious flutter as he watched her face for that smile.

"And you were trouble," he tried to return, because she must have been to be so full of confidence. "So it's a good thing we're a long way from cotillion, because there's no one to stop you here. What's that thing you did, to make all of the other girls jealous...?"