“Let’s go to this magnificent mall I hear so much about,” Cassie says with exaggerated grandeur in her voice.
“Okay, Grayson,” I say, “the mall, please.”
He nods.
“So, Ava, any news about that woman at your wedding? What’s going on with that?” Cassie asks.
“We haven’t heard anything in a few weeks. The last update was that she was undergoing psychiatric treatment and still quite delusional. She seems to think she’s married to him and I took him away. Can you believe it? We pressed charges and they’re all still pending, but she’s definitely not competent. It could be a while before that is resolved.”
Gabby nods her head. “You seem to be holding up okay after all the book drama,” she says.
“It was rough at first but things are calming down,” I reply.
“So, anymore paparazzi chases?” Gabby asks me.
“No, thank God. After Emma died, they’ve backed off. The only time we see our names or pictures in the papers now are related to the hotels. They don’t seem as interested as they used to be.” I smile at my friends. “One thing I know for sure, Enzo and I can make it through anything.”
“Maybe that’s good then,” Cassie adds. “Maybe all of this needed to happen so you would know your bond is unbreakable.”
“Yes, unbreakable. I like that,” I say.
“Well, so now you’ve known Enzo for nearly six months. Any surprises yet?” Cassie asks again.
“Surprises?” I ask, confused. “Like what?”
She narrows her eyes. “You know, like weird habits or quirks you didn’t know about before?”
“Not really,” I reply, thinking. “Enzo likes order and calm in his environment. He doesn’t like television, but we always have music playing. He is almost always working, which explains how he’s been so successful so young. And he loves his family and adores me. He also likes to wear suits more than jeans and eating is a priority. Enzo has probably learned more about me.”
“Has he learned how you never hang up your clothes after you wear them?” Cassie asks, cackling.
I laugh. “Yes, and he hates it. I’ve compromised and hang up the expensive stuff, but I told him he needs to lighten up a bit.”
Gabby grabs my hand. “Is he still so romantic?”
I nod my head. “I hope he’ll always be like that.”
Cassie smiles at me. “I think that’s a sure thing.”
“Do you still remember your first date?” Gabby asks.
I roll my eyes. “How could I forget it? What a night that was. I had no idea what I was doing with him, and he was so arrogant and mysterious. And sexy. Good Lord, that man is so sexy. He had me wrapped around his finger from day one.”
Cassie laughs. “Who wrapped who? Way I remember it, he was pretty whooped from the beginning.”
“Well, he hid it better than I did,” I say, giggling.
The car pulls up in front of Neiman Marcus and Grayson turns back to us. “Just call when you’re ready and I’ll come pick you up,” he says.
Wait, is that what I think it is? Holy heck, he actually smiled at us! Whoa.
“Sure, Grayson. Thanks,” I say, wondering what’s gotten into him.
We climb out of the car and Cassie loops her arm in mine. “Who would have thought that date would turn into this?”
“Certainly not me,” I reply, honestly. “Moving here was the best decision of my life.”
“Uh, yeah, it worked out pretty well for me too,” Gabby adds with a laugh.
“And me!” Cassie raises her hand.
“Where should we eat?” I ask Gabby.
“Let’s go to Modern Steak. I love it there. Calvin and I go every Wednesday.”
“With steak in the title, I’m in,” Cassie says, cackling loudly, which causes several people to turn and stare at us. “Ooh, am I bothering the rich people?”
“You just be you, Cass.” Grinning, I lead the way to the restaurant.
“So, what are you going to get the man that has everything for Christmas?” Cassie asks when we’re inside.
“There’s only one thing I can give him that he can’t get for himself...”
The hostess greets us and shows us to a table. I’m dragging out my response, knowing it’s killing Cassie. We order our drinks and dig into the bread basket.
“And what’s that?” Cassie questions me.
I’ve been thinking about this for a long time and I think it’s time to tell my girls. I smile. “I’m going to stop taking my pill.”
Cassie practically chokes on her bread and Gabby’s face splits into a grin a mile wide.
“I thought you wanted to wait a year?” Cassie asks, astonished.
“I did, but I started thinking about it. If I go off the pill in January, who knows how long it will take to get pregnant. And by the time the baby is born, we’d be married close to a year by then, maybe even longer.”
Cassie shakes her head, mumbling, “Wow.”
“That’s awesome,” Gabby says, grabbing my hand. “He’s going to be really excited. How do you plan to tell him?”
“I don’t know. But I do know that I want to be alone with him, so I was thinking I could do something on Christmas morning before the day gets started. I just don’t know what yet.”
Cassie taps her lip with her index finger. “Yeah, that’s tough.”
“I’ll figure it out,” I reply, just as the server arrives with our food.
Cutting into her steak, Cassie asks, “What are we doing after this?”
I shrug. “We can shop or we can go see Little Vegas?”
“What the heck is Little Vegas?” she asks.
“It’s the new property downtown. It doesn’t have a name yet, so that’s what I call it.”
“Cool. I haven’t been downtown yet,” Cassie says.
“Since we’re here though, you want to walk around and look at pretty things?” I ask.
“Yes!” Gabby says. “We need shoes. Northland, anyone..?”
“Mmm, I love their shoes. Love this steak too,” Cassie remarks.
“Alright then,” I decide. “We’ll finish up here and do a little shopping, and then head downtown. Cool?”
“Cool,” the girls reply in unison.
After a few hours of shopping, we join up with Grayson again.
“How was your day, ladies?” he asks, holding the car door open for us.
“Good,” I reply, cheerfully. “So, are you bringing a date to Vegas?”
“Yes,” he answers quietly.
“Ooh, are you dating someone then?”
He smiles and walks around to the driver’s side to get in. “I am.”
“What’s her name?” Gabby asks.
“Marisa.”
I probe some more. “Where did you meet her?”
“Through the security agency I hired for you. She manages the Arizona region.”
“How nice,” I say, “So how long have you been dating?”
Grayson’s face lights up. “Since you and Mr. Milano came back from your honeymoon.”
“That’s so nice and you seem happy,” I say.
“I am,” he replies as we drive away, and I realize that he’s said all he’s going to say.
I wonder if Enzo knows about Marisa. I hope that she’s nice to Grayson. I don’t want to have to hate the girl.
“Where are we going, Ava?” Grayson asks.
“Downtown to the hotel.”
He nods and heads onto the highway.
I pull out my phone to call Francesca, hoping that she is on site since she has such an enthusiastic way of describing what everything will look like.
“Ciao, Ava. Come stai?” Francesca’s voice sings through the phone line.
“Bene. Are you at the hotel?” I ask her.
“Yes, I am here. Are you coming?”
“Yes. I’m bringing Cassie and Gabby to see it.”
“Oh good,” she replies, cheerfully. “I will show you the fl
oor tiles I have for the restaurant.”
“Great, see you in a few.”
I hang up and call Enzo. “Ciao, tesoro,” I say. “We are going to the hotel, so I can show it to the girls.”
“I’m on my way there too, so I will see you there.”
“See you soon,” I reply, blowing a kiss through the handset before I hang up.
Cassie nudges my arm. “So, you’re really getting into this designing stuff?”
“Yeah, it’s been amazing. I love it. Francesca has taught me so much. I’m learning a lot of new things. And she let me take on the bathrooms at the hotel myself.”
“Well, you did great in your house. It looks like a model home,” Cassie remarks.
“Thanks. That was the most fun I’ve ever had. Enzo was very involved too. It was a great experience for us both. It’s nice to know he respects my opinion.”
“I think he had more faith in you than you had in yourself for a while there,” Gabby tells me.
I glance out the window for a moment. “I think that’s true,” I admit. “I definitely feel more confident in my abilities than I used to.”
Grayson exits the highway and drives down the street to the hotel. I tell the girls why Enzo chose this location and point out various areas of interest. Shortly, we turn into the hotel drive, which has been paved since I was last here. Enzo’s car is already out front.
We get out and walk inside the building, which is really starting to take shape. The drywall and some of the interior finishing is complete, and workers are starting to lay tiles. I wave at Francesca as we approach.
“Hi, Checca,” I say.
Francesca is wearing a blue sweater that looks like it must be made of cotton candy, and black leggings with black patent-leather stilettos. At any given time, she could pose for a photo spread.
“Hello,” she says. Putting her notebook down, she gives all of us a warm hug. “Yes, you want coffee? It’s so cold outside.” She rubs her hands up and down her arms to warm them.
Cassie laughs softly, but says nothing.
“Sure, coffee sounds good,” I say, and then pour each of us a cup from the carafe sitting on a nearby table.
“Yes, Ava, do you like the floors?” Francesca asks.
Glancing down at the white Carrara marble tiles being laid, I remember how we spent hours looking at different kinds to find just the right shade and marbling. I think the floors will look great in contrast to the purple walls.
“Looks fantastic,” I tell her, warmly. “They’re just how you wanted them.”
Francesca squeezes my arm and gets that ‘design high’ look in her eyes. “Yes, beautiful.”
“Where’s Enzo?” I ask her. “I saw his car.”
“Yes, he is outside talking to Dax. The pool is not as big as Enzo wanted it, so they are renegotiating,” she says with a wink.
What she really means is that Enzo is exerting his will over the man. This ought to be good to watch. I still don’t like that guy. Every time I see Dax, he leers at me, with no regard to the fact that I’m the boss’ wife. I just want to kick him in the shin.
We walk out back and see them staring at a huge hole in the ground. Enzo wants a pool bigger than that? He sees us and smiles. Dax smiles too, but in his wolf in sheep’s clothing way. Yuck.
Enzo kisses my cheek and wraps his arm possessively around my waist, saying, “Ciao, amore.”
Gabby and Cass stand quietly beside me. I’m wondering why neither Enzo nor I have introduced them to Dax. Enzo finally breaks the silence. “Dax, these are my wife’s friends, Gabriella and Cassandra. They are both spoken for, so mind what primitive manners you have.” His tone is terse and I fight back a giggle.
The look on the faces of the two women is priceless, but they both just mutter something polite in response.
“Well, well, I guess it’s true what they say about birds of a feather. Pretty wife, pretty friends,” Dax says with his Southern drawl, practically licking his lips.
Cassie pulls her head back and I fear she’s about to launch a verbal assault on the guy. Somehow, she bites her lip and simply glares.
He’s not fooling any of these pretty ladies with his cheesy shtick.
“Dax, back to the pool,” Enzo snaps.
“We’ll go back inside, Enzo,” I say, kissing his cheek.
“Ugh,” Cassie says as we walk away. “What’s with that guy? He’s a creep.”
“He is. Enzo says he’s the best contractor in the valley, but he is a jerk,” I tell them. “He’s always looking at me and saying flirtatious things. Enzo’s gotten in his face on more than one occasion. I don’t know if he’ll choose to work with him again after this. It’s that bad.”
“What a tool,” Cassie adds, and Gabby shakes her head in agreement.
“Is there anything to see in the rooms?” Gabby asks, changing the subject.
“No. We can’t go upstairs yet, but we’ll come back and check it out again. It’s coming in way ahead of schedule so far.”
We walk back to Francesca to say goodbye. “I’ll be back to work tomorrow, Checca,” I tell her.
She nods. “Okay. We need to pick out the fixtures still.”
“I know. I flagged some ideas in the book you gave me.”
“Brava. Ci vediamo.”
“Yep, ci vediamo,” I reply.
“And what does that mean, miss bilingual?” Cassie asks.
I smile. “See you later, basically.”
“You know, Cass, you might want to learn some Italian now that you’ll be surrounded by it,” Gabby says, nudging her arm.
“Girl, I can barely speak English,” Cassie replies and then cackles.
****
The sound of clicking computer keys breaks the morning silence. I stretch and yawn, and then lift up on my elbows to see Enzo typing away at the desk, wearing a T-shirt and sweatpants. It’s seven in the morning on a Saturday.
“Babe, you need to learn to relax more,” I tell him. “You’re always working.”
“Ah, buon giorno principessa,” Enzo replies. “I’m perfectly relaxed at the moment. Besides, the work won’t do itself, no?”
I laugh softly. “No, I suppose it won’t. What are your plans for today?”
“The usual. Girasole for a few hours and then downtown. You?” he asks.
“I’m going to work out for an hour. After that, it’s whatever Cassie wants to do.”
He frowns. “I don’t like all this dieting and exercise. You’re getting too skinny.”
“I’m hardly skinny. I just want to be healthy.”
Little does my husband know that I plan on getting pretty chubby quite soon.
“Va bene.” He smiles and stands up. After gazing at me for a moment, he says, “You look divine sitting there with your messy hair and nightgown on. In fact, you look like a woman who should be ravished.”
“Is that so? Do you know anyone who would be interested in ravishing me?”
“Indeed I do, Mrs. Milano.” He slides my strap down off my shoulder and strokes my skin. It sends shivers through me.
Enzo pulls off his shirt and climbs into bed, straddling me. My chest fills with heavy breath in anticipation of his next move.
“What shall I do with you… or should I say to you?” he asks. Grinning, he moves a stray hair off my face.
“Whatever you want, my prince, you know that.” I lean back and wait for the pleasure to begin.
He moves the blanket off me and then freezes. “Amore, we have a little problem here.”
I look down to see the bed and my nightgown covered in blood. Shit. I thought I felt a little strange.
“Oh, great, my period,” I moan. And I’ve bled all over the bed. Awesome.
Enzo looks concerned. “Are you okay?”
“Other than being thoroughly pissed off with the mess, and the fact that I can’t make love to my husband right now, yeah, I’m fine.”
“Let me get you a towel,” he offers.
I sit mot
ionless, waiting for the towel, slowly becoming aware of the cramps that are beginning to wage a war on my poor uterus.
Enzo returns with a towel and tells me, “I’ve started the shower for you too.”
“Thanks.”
I strip off my bloodied nightgown and lay it on the bed. I’ll have to remove the bedding and wash it later. My husband stands next to the bed, looking helpless.
“I’m fine, Enzo. I’ll take care of the mess.”
“Just go shower, amore.”
I pad into the bathroom with the towel tucked between my legs. I’m shocked at the amount of blood. This is very unusual. How long has it been since my last one? Six months? I probably shouldn’t have intentionally skipped that many.
I climb into the shower and let the hot water wash over me. The cramps are really starting to kick in and I realize I’m going to need some Midol soon. I hope that Cassie still has some as she eats them like candy during her cycle. I can only imagine what she would be like without them.
Enzo walks into the bathroom and joins me in the shower. “You don’t mind, do you?” he asks.
“Not at all. Just don’t look down,” I warn him, as I watch blood-tainted water slide down the drain.
“I don’t care about that. You’re my wife and women have periods. Granted, you’ve never had one around me, so I don’t know what to expect. Is it bad?”
I nod my head. “Yeah, the cramps are starting to kick in. I think because I went so long without one, I’m gonna pay for it now.”
Enzo wraps his arms around my waist and rubs my belly. “What can I do to make it better for you?”
You could get me pregnant. The thought parades through my mind for a moment, but I can’t tell him that yet. It’s my little surprise.
“Nothing,” I reply, offering a weak smile. “I just need some hot tea and painkillers to take the edge off. I’ll live.”
He pulls me closer. “I heard once that sex actually helps to relieve cramps. Maybe we should try that.”
I turn around with what I am sure is a horrified look on my face. “No way.”
“Come on, Ava. We’re in the shower.”
“Gross.”
“It’s not gross. I want you, badly.”
I shake my head. “I don’t know. I’ve never done that.”
Enzo grins. “I haven’t either. I just want you right now and I’m not going to let this get in my way.” He slides his hand down my stomach and stops just over my clitoris.
Turn Towards the Sun Book Two: After the Rain Page 19