Turn Towards the Sun (8 page)

“I’ve brought breakfast.” He says, pushing the cart in. We walk over to the little dining table in my room.

“What are your plans for today?” He starts placing our meal on the table. My attention fixates on his strong hands pouring coffee.

“I don’t know. Thought I might go out and explore the city. What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to finish my designs for the conference that starts today at one. I’ll be there until six.” He pauses. “Then I’d like you to join me for dinner again.” He shifts his blue eyes up to meet mine.

“Sure Enzo. I’ll have dinner with you. Another event?”

“No, just
the two of us.”

Alone. With Enzo.
Sounds divine.

“Do you have a job yet?”

“Yes, I start next Monday. It’s a company called Monroe Financial Services. I’m going to be a project manager.
I took a week to myself to get settled and learn my way around town.”

He nods. “Excellent. I can give you some ideas of where to spend your time today, if you wish.”

“That would be helpful Enzo, thank you.”

“And please Ava, if there is anything you need at the hotel, just ask for
it,
and it will be taken care of.”

I feel a little thrill. I’ve never had an experience like this
before,
and I like it. I need to
remember
though that this
isn’t real life.

“Ava?”
He interrupts my thoughts. “What are you thinking?” He’s studying me now
.
Think of something.

“I was wondering where you live?”

“I don’t really live anywhere. I travel to several cities but don’t have a home base. I spend the majority of my time in Phoenix though. I like it here and most of my family lives in the area.”

“But you don’t have a home here?”

“It’s being built. It should be done in two months. I’ll take you to see it later. If you want.”

“I would like that.” 

“Finish eating.” He grins back. “I hope you like the car.”

“I’m sure I will. You’re spoiling me Enzo. I could never hope to drive a Mercedes on my own.”

He reaches over and strokes my hand. “I would like to spoil you Miss Bradshaw. Nothing would please me more.” His eyes burn through me.

Nothing would please me more than to climb over this table and ride you like a pony.

Calm yourself down girl. 

He picks up the newspaper and opens it, turning directly to the business page.
There we are
,
splashed in color on the front page.

“
Local Architect H
onored at Pho
enix Award Ceremony
,”
the headline blares. Well Ava, here’s your unknown woman caption. 

I read below the picture. “Enzo Milano attends the event with Miss Ava Bradshaw.”

I flip to the lifestyle page, and there’s the picture of Enzo kissing my hand. A ca
ption next to it says, “
Who is Ava Br
adshaw? Ava Bradshaw was local a
rchitect and notorious bachelor Enzo Milano’s date for the annual Best in Design awards ceremony last night. Mr. Milano openly thanked Miss Bradshaw for attending the event, highlighting the first time his female c
ompanion has been acknowledged.”
Really? That’s news in this town? Now I see what he meant about the name thing.

“Enzo.” I hand him the paper. He reads it over, mouth tensing in disapproval. Then he places the paper down, saying nothing. I stare at him, searching his face for something. Notorious bachelor? What the hell does that mean?

“Are you mad?” I ask.

“No
.
I’m not mad. Just concerned that you might be followed a bit.”

“Why would I be followed?”

“Some photographers might try. I’ve told you, my private life is unfortunately a very intriguing topic here in Phoenix. Now that I’ve said your name, you are an intriguing topic.”

“Well like I said, I’ll be out of your hair in a few days. I’m sure interest in me will die down quickly.”

“You keep saying that like I want you to
leave,
but I don’t.” He places his hand on top of mine.
Ah,
the familiar tingle.

“Ava, I want to spend time with you. I’m happy your furniture isn’t here yet. It’s kept you around longer.” He takes a deep breath.

“You should know I don’t date. I rarely see a woman twice.” He seems unsure if he wants to keep talking. “I’m kind of a dick when it comes to women Ava. I don’t want to treat you that way
.
I would like to try dating you.”

He’s staring at me, waiting for a response. What a strange request. I feel like he just asked me to go steady. What am I supposed to say that? I’m all at once thrilled and befuddled.

“Sure Enzo. We can try dating.”

“You seem hesitant Ava.”

“No, it’s just that normally these things just evolve naturally.”

“I like people to know exactly what I expect and what they can expect from me. I don’t want you to guess my intentions.”

“So why did you leave last night?” 

He rubs his hands together. “Like I said last night
,
I would rather get to know you before moving on to a physical relationship. It’s just better if we do it that way.” His eyes soften and all of a
sudden,
he
 
looks so fragile. I can tell there is more behind
this,
but I accept his answer.

Besides, deep inside I know I don’t have any business rushing back into a relationship. Dating slowly is the right thing to do. I’ve been in Phoenix for three
days,
and already I’m revising the plan.

“Okay Enzo. It’s fine with me really. We can take it slow.” He exhales then smiles and squeezes my hand.

“Now about the day today. I had Grayson enter some addresses in your GPS in the car. It will direct you to some of the best shopping centers in the city. Then I’ll come pick you up after my conference for dinner. I know a great place we can go.” His eyes twinkle.

“Oh good. I need some new clothes for
work,
so I’ll get some shopping done.”

“Very good Ava. I’ll see you soon.” He stands and gives me a chaste kiss on the cheek. I feel myself inhale as soon as he gets close to me. He pauses, but then stands and walks towards the door.

“Ciao Ava.”

I love that whole ciao
business,
and
I love the
way my name rolls off his accented tongue. I much prefer it to his Miss Bradshaw act, but let’s be honest, that’s becoming a fire starter for me too.

Oh,
man I’ve already got it bad. I need to keep my head.
Yes,
he’s hot.
Yes,
I’ve been lonely. And
yes,
he has something between his legs I’d like to use. But he is right. Slow is better. If it works out, there’s plenty of time for the rest. Take a deep breath girl.

I put on a little blue sundress with a yellow daisy print. I’m glad I got some summer clothes before I got here. It’s supposed to be 116 degrees today! I go look for my spot with the waiting Mercedes. Adorable! It’s a little silver coupe. I glance at the back and see a bunch of letters and numbers. CLK something, whatever that means. All I know is I like it. I pop in the front seat and start it up.
It purrs
like a kitten.

A card on the passenger seat catches my attention. “To Ava”
.
I open it to find an American Express gift card inside. It’s for $1000! I read the note.
“
Cara Ava, please accept this as my welcome to Phoenix gift, Enzo.
”

My face flushes with heat. I can’t accept this. But I know he’ll insist. What’s the right thing to do? Maybe he thinks I don’t have any money. Yes, that’s it. He thinks I’m some broke helpless woman
who
needs his money.
Well,
he’s wrong. I have plenty of money in my
savings,
and I don’t need his. I grip the steering wheel. I just need to think about how to handle this with him. I hear my cell phone vibrate inside my handbag.

“Ciao Ava. It’s Enzo.”

“Yes?
” My voice is flat.

“What’s wrong, you sound angry?” Observant isn’t he?

“Why would I be angry? Because I’m sitting in an expensive Mercedes with a gift card in my hand after I’ve had gifts and dinner lavished upon me?
Certainly,
a poor helpless girl like me should be grateful for such… generosity.”

Sarcasm drips from my voice.
He is silent. I hear his breathing
quicken,
and
I
brace myself
for a
full-scale
argument.

“Ava, you think that’s what this is?” He asks, sounding a bit hurt.

“I don’t need your money Enzo. I have money. You don’t need to buy my attention. And if this is some ploy to get me to sleep with you, then let me be clear, if I want you, and that’s a big if, it won’t cost you a dime.”

“
Stop it
.” His
tone is clipped
.
“You’re way out of line here.”

“I’m out of line? What line? You have no right to talk to me like that.” My voice rises, surprising even me.

“
Ava, please.” His voice softens considerably. “
I would never try to buy you, and I’ve told you my intentions as far as sex goes. I’m just trying to do nice things for
you,
and this is all I know how to do.”

I want to be
mad,
but my heart melts. Is it possible I’ve misread him completely?

“Enzo, I’m just not used to anything like this. I didn’t mean to be rude about it.
But you’re overstepping a little here.
”

He doesn’t respond.

“Enzo?” Oh no! Did he hang up?

I look
up,
and
he’s
standing at
the car window. I roll it down and
hang up my phone. He offers his hand through the
window,
and I accept it graciously.
He leans down through my window,
close to my face.

“Ava.” He says my name so softly it’s a whisper. “You’re making me crazy.” There’s a hint of a smile in his eyes. “I was honest with you about my intentions. I just like to do things for people that I… that I care about. Will you please go shopping and enjoy the gift?”

He cares about me?

“Yes Enzo. I will. I just wanted—” He puts his fingers across my lips to stop me.

“I know. I get it. We’ll talk at dinner. Deal?”

“Deal.”

“Okay now go.” He smiles and plants a soft kiss on my lips
that sends
tingles through my body.

I turn on the GPS and select
an address. Guess I’m heading to Scottsdale Fashion Square with mad money burning a hole in my pocket.

What a day. That mall was huge.
I can’t wait for
my first cupcake-a thon after my trip to Williams Sonoma. I could barely carry my bags loaded with a cupcake cookbook and baking trays. I also bought three other cookbooks, all Italian. Maybe I’ll have a reason to learn to cook some of these dishes.

I’m exhausted. It’s so
hot
and I walked
a lot.
I did get some amazing shopping done
though,
and I have tons of bags to show for it.
Wonder if
I can get a bellhop to do it for me.

Oh already assuming the lifestyle eh?

Walking into the
hotel,
I see George.

“Hello again Miss Bradshaw. Can I help you?”

“I was wondering if I could get some help with my bags.”

“
O
f course. I’ll send someone out right away and bring them to your room. Next time you can leave the car in valet. We’ll park it for you.”

“Thank you George.”
Whew,
that’s a relief. I spot Anna in the shop talking to a customer as I pass by. Her gaze shifts to
me,
and I’m pretty sure she just scowled. What the hell did I do?

I continue through the hotel and through the courtyard to my room. Glancing at my
watch,
I see it’s three o’ clock. Good time for a nap before dinner. I feel wiped. A few minutes
later,
my bags are
delivered,
and I shut the door and throw myself in the bed to rest.