Turn Towards the Sun (15 page)

A waiter drops two large glasses of water off for
us,
and I gulp it down. I’m overwhelmed, excited, joyful, and a hundred other emotions I can’t articulate at this moment. I’m going back to room 115 at Girasole tomorrow morning and coming
home
to a beautifully redecorated apartment. I hear the familiar ring of my cell phone.
A
smile
spreads across my face.

“Ciao Enzo.”

“Ciao bella. How are you?”

“I’m good. I’m with Checca and we just finished shopping. You spoil me.”

“Yes I do and I will continue to. I just arrived in Boston and am heading to my hotel. I wanted to say hello, I miss you, and I met no drunken but amazingly beautiful women on my flight.” 

I laugh. “Only me then?”

“
S
till only you. I will call you later when you are ready for bed.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“Ciao bella.”

“Ciao.”

Francesca is doing her best not to listen to
me,
but I can tell she’s curious.

“Only you.” Her voice is quiet. “Yes, this is true. He has only done this for you. You are special to him Ava.”

I just can’t believe all this is happening. A week ago I was in Denver, broken hearted and pissed off. Now I’m sitting in Phoenix with my own interior designer and an amazingly hot man catering to my every whim. Who would’ve thunk it.

“He’s special too Checca.”

“Yes I agree. Of
course,
I have a
bias,
no.” Her accent is so adorable.

Marcello returns with a platter of grilled fish and a huge tossed salad.

“This fish, I had it flown here yesterday right from the coast of Italy. It’s very very fresh.” We each take a piece and some salad. This is a perfect meal for the intense heat outside. I’m not usually a huge fan of fish but this is very mild, flaky, with a wonderful marinade of some sort, garlic and lemon maybe?

We eat with
gusto,
and I’m excited to see that Francesca’s appetite matches mine. She adds an espresso after her meal.
I
just
sit and take
in all the action in this small but lively atmosphere.

“
Y
es
okay
, let’s get you back to your place. Grayson will pick you up in the morning to take you to
Girasole,
and then I will get to work.” Her eyes gleam with excitement. This must be quite the challenge to her.

I grip my seat again as Francesca races back to my apartment. I’m relieved when the car pulls up to my place without police cars or ambulances involved.

“Ciao Checca. See you soon.” I call out as Francesca drives away. I call Cassie back and give her all the juicy bits.

“Okay tell me what happened blow by blow.” Cassie
listens
as I tell her about the plane, the hotel, the
shower,
all of it.

“Look at you Miss Thang, already making your mark in P-Town.”

“Cassie you know I hate it when you use your gangsta voice.”

I giggle.

“I’m going to need a picture of Prince Charming soon.”

“I don’t have one yet.”

“Yea well get on it girl. Literally!” Cassie breaks into laughter at her own joke. “But seriously Ava, you deserve a man
who
will roll out the red carpet for you. You deserve to be treated like a princess. Don’t
over think
it and just enjoy the ride.”

“You’re right Cassie. But you know this wasn’t in the plan. It’s all just so new and different.”

“Different is good. You want a broke ass punk like the mayor of Loserville you were dating? Of course not. It’s time to grow up and have a man
who
lifts you up not takes you down.” Her words sting a little but only because it’s true.

“I know Cassie. I know.”

“If this guy is crazy about you let him be. Work your charm and you’ll be alright.”

“It’s just that it feels wrong somehow to accept such lavish gifts. I don’t want him to think it’s all about the money because it’s really not. And I came here to learn how to take care of myself yet I’m letting this man I barely know take care of all my needs. It’s confusing Cass.”

“Ok
ay
well let me clear it up for you then.”

Oh shit I feel a Cassie Cunningham ‘Come to Jesus Revival’ coming. I’m about to get my ass chewed.

“You’re pissing me off with all this independent bullshit. You’ve always taken care of your
self. The only mistake you made
was hanging out with Steve for so long. He made you think you weren’t strong and capable. But you are. You put yourself through college, created a successful career and make pretty good money for your age. You pay your bills on time and have a savings account. You make good decisions. Don’t let one bad one make you second guess your worth.”

Cassie is totally right. Before
Steve,
I was self-assured and fearless. After
Steve,
I felt like I couldn’t trust my own instincts anymore.

“Now what’s confusing again?”

“Alright Cassie, you’re totally
right,
and I needed this talk.”

“And honestly Ava, from what it sounds like he can smell a gold digger a mile away. If he thought you were in it for the money he’d be long gone by now. Wham bam thank you ma’am.”

“Another valid point Cass.
But something weird keeps happening to me. He’s really hot and every time I think of him talking to another woman I get all crazy jealous. When have you known me to be the jealous type?
”

“Never. But it makes sense if you think about it Ava. Steve did a real number on your self-esteem. I don’t know if you noticed or not, but you’re hot too sister. He probably feels the same about you.”

“
I guess so.” I really don’t think about myself that way.

“You guess so. You’re so stupid. You are gorgeous. Everyone thinks so. He obviously thinks so. So you should think so
too
. Got it?”

I sigh. “I get it. I’ll work on it.”

“And the next time you call I want to hear about the big bang got it?” The big bang- Cassie’s code for sex.

Laughing I answer, “You got it Cassie. Talk to you soon.”

“Miss you girl.”

“Miss you too Cass.”

I really needed that reality
check,
and Cassie had to be the one to do it. No one can get right to the point like she can.
It's
nine o’clock my time
now,
which means its midnight in Boston. Enzo is probably out or asleep by now. I brush my teeth and climb into my bed still assimilating everything that has happened in the past few days.

Dare I say I could fall in love with this guy? Shit. No. Not yet. Put your guard back up girl. Don’t start thinking love yet. It’s way too soon. You’re just lonely and he is filling a space for you right now. Plenty of time for love. I drift to sleep exhausted from the day’s events.

M
y phone
rings and wakes me.

“Hello?”

“Ciao bella. I’m sorry I’m waking you.”

“It’s okay. What time is it?”

“It’s one thirty my time. Ten thirty for you.”

“Why are you up so late?”

“I just made the deal of a lifetime.” His voice increases in volume as he speaks.

“What happened?” I’m more awake now and interested.

“I sold all of my shares in my Boston properties.”

“Oh that’s great.” I have no idea
why,
but if he’s excited so am I.

“Let me explain,” he continues.
“I want to build properties all over Italy and this one sale just gave me enough buying power to last for three years, enough time to get at least two properties up and running. I don’t need to deal with investors or banks. I can just move forward.” He’s talking so fast he’s breathing hard.

“That’s wonderful Enzo.”

“You’re the first person I wanted to tell. I wanted to share my happiness with you.” He’s quiet now, letting his words sink in for both of us. I feel my heart softening as he speaks.

Don’t fall Ava, keep your grip.

“That makes me very happy to hear Enzo. I miss you already.”

“I miss you too. Isn’t this crazy? We just met and I can’t remember what I felt like a week ago. I can’t go back to how my life used to be. I realize now it was so empty.”

I don’t know what to say. I am stunned silent.

“Ava?”

“
I’m here. I just don’t know what to say.”

“Say that you’ll try. You’ll try with me. And you’ll be patient with me.”

“Of course I’ll try. And being patient is easy.”

“I mean, about the sex.”

“I will Enzo. I think it’s a good idea too.” I can hear his grin across the phone lines.

“Trust me Ava, it’s harder than you know for me to keep my hands off of you. You’re quite a
catch,
and I feel lucky I’m the one that caught you.”

Now I’m the one smiling.

“I know now that you were made just for me Ava. You’re completely mine.”

His words shock and excite me. Just for him.

“Ava?”

“Yes.”

“What are you thinking? Am I scaring you away?”

I laugh. “No Enzo, not at all. I’m just soaking in your words. My whole life has been leading me here so you could find me.” Warm, happy tears glide down my cheek.

“Say it Ava. Tell me you’re mine, completely mine.”

“I am completely yours Enzo. Just yours.”

He sighs. We sit silently for a moment.

“Hey
,
go back to sleep. If things keep going well
here,
I may wrap up a few days early. I’ll let you know. Ciao bella.”

“Ciao Enzo.”

How am I supposed to sleep now? I’m completely his. That’s amazing. I roll over and try hard to sleep.

“Buon giorno Ava.” I hear Francesca’s sing songy voice calling through the apartment. I let some installers in about twenty minutes ago who are now measuring my kitchen floor. I’m in my room trying to pack a bag.

“In here.” I call out. Francesca enters my bedroom.

“Grayson is here for you.”

“I have a car Checca. I could have driven myself back.”

She shrugs. “Enzo said have Grayson drive, I have Grayson
drive,
no?”

“I’m almost ready.” I grab my toothbrush and slip on my shoes.

“Yes, Grayson will bring you back this evening or maybe the morning. Depends.”

“Ok. Thank you again. I’m excited.”

Her eyes
shoot
across
the room. “Yes
,
so am I.”

Grayson is standing at the door waiting for me.

“I thought you’d be in Boston with Enzo.”

“No ma’am. I’m not needed this trip.” Grayson opens the
car
door for me.

How odd to be driven around town. But I like it. I’m still unsure of my surroundings.

“How long have you worked for Enzo?”

“Years.” He answers. Maybe I should call him Mr. Stoic.

“Thank you for driving me Grayson.” I try again to make conversation.

“Of course.” He answers stoically again.

“Do you have a family?” His eyes shift quickly to mine in the
rear-view mirror.

“No. I’m not married. But my parents live in Wisconsin and I visit twice a year.”

Hey,
I
got
a full sentence out of the guy.
“Do you like working for Enzo?”

He shifts uncomfortably. “Yes, of course.”

I sit trying to think of something else to say.

“He’s very generous.” He adds.

“I’ve noticed.” I catch the glimmer of a smile across Grayson’s lips.

“Not just with money. He’s a generous soul.” Yes! Grayson is giving me some information.

“I’ve never seen him spend this much time with the same woman Miss Bradshaw. I hope that doesn’t sound bad.”

It’s not the first time I’ve heard this. Now I’m sure I have a recovering womanizer on my hands.

“No, not bad Grayson.” I offer him a warm smile and get one in return.

“Is Grayson your first name or your last?”

“Last. My first name is Eric. We’re here ma’am.”

We pull into
the valet,
and Grayson comes around to open my door. I step out to the sidewalk and turn to thank him, noticing a strange look on his face.