“How about twenty?” Gabby hesitates.
“You’re not alone are you?” I tease.
“No ma’am I’m not. And I’m not done yet.” She giggles.
“No problem, twenty minutes is fine.” She cracks me up.
“What’s so funny?” Enzo asks as I hang up the phone.
“Gabby and Calvin. It’s cute.”
“Yes, Calvin is quite taken with Gabriella. At first, I worried it would distract him, but now I believe the opposite is true. He has been very focused and his judgment on point. That’s what the love of a good woman can do for a man.”
He tackles me and throws me back on the bed, pinning my arms down. I squirm but to no avail. He kisses me and I melt, defenseless against his charms.
“Get off.” I giggle and twist underneath him.
“Nope.” He kisses and sucks my neck. “Kiss me Ava.”
My mouth presses against his. I love the way his weight pushes down on my body. He’s so hot and so mine. I simply can’t get enough of this man.
“I love you so much Enzo.”
He looks into my eyes, piercing through my core. “Tell me in Italian. Tell me you love me in Italian.”
“Ti amo.”
He grins. “I fucking love it when you speak Italian.”
“I fucking love when you fucking love something.” We both laugh.
“I have to go babe. Gabby’s waiting.”
“I believe she’s occupied but yes, I will let you go. Be safe today amore.”
“I will. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
He kisses me once more before releasing me.
I quickly throw myself together and head out the door. I blow a kiss to my handsome prince on the way out.
“Ready now?’ I smirk at a flustered Gabby while she grabs her purse.
“Yes, ready.” Calvin is sitting on the couch reading a contract. He waves goodbye and Gabby blushes.
“You guys are really cute together.”
Gabby beams. “Thanks. I really like him a lot Ava. This trip has been the best experience of my life. Not just the connection with Calvin but the whole thing.”
“I know. I feel the same way. Enzo and I have really bonded here.”
Gabby grins. “The way I see it, it’s like the two of you have been together for years. You’re both so comfortable with each other. It’s amazing really when you think about how long you’ve known each other.”
“I know. I guess that’s the part that freaks me out. It has only been a couple of months. But I know he’s the one. And I know I’m the one for him.”
“Yea, it’s obvious he’s completely in love with you. I’ve never seen a man look at a woman the way he looks at you. And he makes time for you, which must make you feel so good.”
“That’s one of the main things that got me. Every day, I feel like I am the most important thing in his world, and that my happiness is necessary for his. It’s an incredible feeling.”
She squeezes my hand. “We all deserve to have a love like that.”
“Yes, it was so unexpected though.”
“That’s the best kind.”
We walk into a small boutique to find an outfit for me to wear tonight. I want something special he hasn’t already seen. I look around the room, and then I see it, a gorgeous flowing chiffon dress with a sunflower print.
“Yes Ava, you must get that. It’s incredible.”
I nod and smile. It’s the perfect choice.
We walk out onto the street, and I spy Jonathon across the other side. I should have known Enzo wouldn’t let me go completely alone. Instead of feeling angry though, it makes me feel…loved.
“I think we’re being followed Gabs.” I nod in Jonathon’s direction.
She looks over at him. “Oh yea. All day. You didn’t notice?” She laughs.
“So, how are you going to wear your hair?” Gabby skips beside me while we walk back to the hotel.
“I don’t know yet.” I grab her hand. “I can’t believe this is our last night here.”
“I know. It’s sort of sad but at the same time, I’m excited to get back home. I need to find a job sister.”
“I’m really happy you could be here with me though.” I squeeze her hand.
“So am I. This was a trip of a lifetime.”
“Have you thought about what you might like to do for work?”
“Actually, I have. I was thinking of going to art school for photography.” Gabby’s face lights up when she speaks.
“Really? That’s awesome.”
“Yea, I’ve always liked it, and I figured why not now. Nothing holding me back.”
“Absolutely. I guess layoffs can be a good thing.”
“If you do it right. You definitely did it right.” She starts laughing.
“I guess I did.” I grin and push the elevator button for our floor.
“See you in the morning Gabs.”
“Yep, see ya.”
“I’m back.” I call out to Enzo as I walk into the living room. He’s on the phone, speaking in Italian, and pacing back and forth. He runs his fingers through his hair several times. I hope everything is going okay with the hotel redesigns.
I walk in the bedroom to hang my dress, keeping the plastic covering over it. I want it to be a surprise.
“Ava, I have to go out for a few. Why don’t you take a nice bath and relax?” He peers into the bedroom.
“Sure. Is everything okay?”
“Yes, certo. I just have to take care of something. I’ll be back soon.” He walks towards me and kisses me quickly on the cheek.
His normally cool demeanor is missing. But I trust him, so I smile and send him on his way.
I draw a hot bath in the claw-foot tub and pour some perfumed oil in the water I bought at a local shop in Florence. Sinking in the hot water, I plan what I’m going to do with my hair for the evening. The dress is so flowing and romantic I think my hair should be too. I sink down in the water and close my eyes to relax.
“Ava?” I hear Enzo call out.
“In here.” I’m toweling myself off when he comes in the bedroom. He looks more relaxed now, calmer.
“Hi.” He leans against the armoire watching me lotion my legs.
“Hi. Everything is good?”
“Everything is great. You’ll be ready to go in an hour?”
“I’ll be ready.”
He leaves the room, and I finish preparing. I add drops of perfume to various spots on my body hoping he’ll find them all later. I strap on my tan sandals that look really good with this dress. I pile my hair up and pin it to the top of my head. I add blush, mascara, lip gloss, and put on dangling gold earrings. Finally, I slip into the dress. I hope he likes it.
I enter the room, and he looks up from the sofa.
“Ava, you look beautiful.” Enzo stands and kisses me on the cheek. He’s staring at me again.
“What?”
“I can’t believe you’re mine.”
“I am yours.” I smile.
He grins and goes to change his clothes. He returns a few minutes later wearing dark grey dress pants and a white shirt, his now familiar and still tantalizing uniform.
We head out, and Fabio is waiting. It’s a warm evening, and I watch as the final moments of sunlight bounce off the water. He drives us to a restaurant overlooking the Arno. We’re escorted to a small private room where we receive two glasses of Prosecco.
“To us.” Enzo clinks my glass.
I catch his eye for a moment, but he looks away. We go through dinner having polite conversation about our trip and discussing our flight home tomorrow. He seems distant and I can’t read him. I’m worried that something is bothering him.
“Is everything alright Enzo?”
“Yes. Fine.”
“Are things going okay with the hotel?”
“Yes. I believe so.”
“Babe, you seem really distracted.”
A sea of sterling blue washes over me as
his eyes meet mine.
“Bella, I’m sorry. My mind is already thinking of tomorrow morning. I’m sad our time in Italy is ending.” He strokes my hand.
“Me too. It was a wonderful trip. Spending all this time with you was amazing.”
“Yes, amazing. We’ll be back here though. Soon. Andiamo?”
“Yes we can leave.”
We walk slowly down the Ponte Vecchio, surrounded by tourists and locals selling their goods. Enzo holds my hand tightly in his, and even though we are silent, I feel like I’m in my own world with only Enzo in it. We walk back to Piazza Signoria. A symphony plays by candlelight at the foot of the Palazzo Vecchio, filling the piazza with breathtaking classical music.
Enzo and I sit on some steps to take in the music. He kisses the back of my hand, oh so sweetly.
“Ava, my life has changed so much since I met you. It wasn’t that long ago, but I can’t remember my life before you.”
“I feel the same way. A few months ago, I was lonely and brokenhearted in Denver. Now I’m in love sitting on some piazza steps in Italy. My whole life has changed because of you.” I look out at the crowd of people and wonder if any of them are as happy as I am right now.
“I know I can never go back to the way it was and I don’t want to. I want to spend every day of my life from now on with you and only you. Marry me Ava.”
I look up in shock. What did he just say? My heart races.
He stands and for some reason, I start to stand too. He drops to one knee in front of me.
“What are you doing Enzo?”
People walking by start to slow and others on the steps look in our direction. Oh my God. He reaches in his pocket and pulls out a small box. Tears start running down my face as I realize what’s happening.
“Miss Bradshaw. Ava. Will you be my wife?”
His hands shake as he opens the tiny box to reveal a stunning princess cut, diamond engagement ring. I feel like everything is happening in slow motion. He takes my left hand and starts to slide the ring on my finger.
I hear someone from the crowd yell out. “Did she say yes?”
Enzo stops and looks at me. “Did she?”
My heart pounds in my chest. “Yes, she did.”
Enzo puts the ring on me and sweeps me into his arms, twirling me around. The crowd goes wild clapping and whistling. He raises my left hand in the air, and the crowd roars again.
I can’t believe this is happening. He wants to marry me.
Enzo beams as he thanks those stopping to congratulate us. I’m amazed that all these perfect strangers want to share in our happiness. It’s surreal. We stroll back to the hotel. Enzo is excited to tell everyone our news.
“We need to call your parents.”
“They’re going to be shocked Enzo. This all happened so fast.”
“Your father already knows.”
I stop walking and stare at Enzo.
“Did you think I would ask for your hand without your father’s blessing?” He pulls me along. “You’re happy aren’t you Ava?”
I think about all that has happened since I met him. I look up at the clear Florentine sky and see nothing but stars.
“Yes Enzo, I’m very happy.”
“Good. Now we celebrate.”
Enzo opens the room to our door, and I’m surprised to see everyone standing in the living room.
“She said yes.” Enzo holds my left hand out for everyone to see. They all start clapping and Francesca actually starts to cry. She rushes over to me and holds me tight.
“Now we are sisters. I’m so happy!” Her emotional reaction causes my own tears to flow once more.
“Oh my God!” Gabby grabs my hand staring at the ring. Her eyes tear as she hugs me. “We get to have a wedding!” She jumps up and down clapping her hands.
I look up to see the men congratulating Enzo, whose smile is a mile wide.
Francesca rubs my arm. “You make him so happy Ava.”
“He makes me happy too.”
“I think we need a toast.” Grayson surprises everyone with his suggestion.
Calvin jumps into action. “I’ll call room service and get some Prosecco delivered.”
Enzo walks towards me and whispers in my ear. “They can stay a little longer, but then I need you alone.”
“Alone for what?”
“For lovemaking of course.” He kisses me on the cheek.
Yes!
Room service arrives and sets up a small table with chilled Prosecco and glasses. Enzo pops open the bottle and pours everyone a glass.
Grayson clears his throat. “I’d like to make a toast if I could.” Enzo’s mouth drops open.
“I’ve worked for Mr. Milano, Enzo, for several years now, and I enjoy it very much. In that time, I always wondered when he might meet a woman who would really rock his world and make him happy. The day he met Ava, everything changed. I’d never seen him happy, smiling, and looking forward to something as much as he was with you Ava. It’s great to see such a good, hardworking guy get a woman he deserves. Here’s to the both of you.” He raises his glass, and everyone follows suit. I can tell Enzo is touched.
“I’d like to say something.” Everyone looks at me.
“Since I met you my life has felt like a fairy tale. I worried that I would wake up one day, and this would all be gone, just a figment of my imagination. It’s too wonderful to be real, to be all for me. But being here with you in Italy, with our friends and your family, it’s been the most amazing experience. I can’t think of anything more exciting than becoming your wife.”
Enzo kisses me, eliciting applause from the group. “Okay everyone, thank you so much for sharing this with us. Now if you don’t mind I’d like to take advantage of my future bride.” Enzo laughs and playfully smacks my butt.
We say goodnight to everyone and walk to the bedroom.
“You’ve made me a very happy man Ava.”
“I plan to do so for the rest of my life.”
He grabs me around the waist and pulls me close. “And now, for your ravishing.”
“Goody, I like ravishings!” I giggle.
I couldn’t sleep and I actually get up before Enzo. I’m enjoying the serene view from our room. The sun is just coming up over the Arno, twinkling across the water, when Enzo enters the living room.
“Are you okay amore?”
“I’ve never been better. I was just enjoying the view before we leave.”
“What are you thinking about?”
“About you. You’re like the sun Enzo, all good things came to me as soon as I turned to you.”
He wraps his arms around me as we stare out into the Florentine morning.
CHAPTER TEN
“I have a surprise for you when we get home.”
“A surprise?” I clap my hands like an excited child.
Gabby and Calvin sit across the row from us sound asleep. Francesca and Eduardo are taking an extra week to visit his family in Spain.
“We should land in about twenty minutes.” Enzo rubs my hand.
Thank God. Getting back home today was difficult. A traffic jam on the road to the airport caused us to have to hurry to catch our flight out of Florence. We had turbulence leaving London due to rain, and I thought I might have to slap Enzo across the face to calm him down. Now, we’re almost home and I can’t wait to get the hell off this plane.
We finally leave the airport after an hour of baggage claim lines. Grayson retrieves the car, and we head home. It’s a rare rainy day in Phoenix, but the cooler air is pleasant.
“Where did you leave your car Calvin?’ Grayson asks.
“At Ava’s place.”
Gabby whispers something to Calvin and he smiles.
“At Gabby’s place.” He corrects. She looks over and winks at me.
We get back to our apartment complex, and I start to get my handbag.
“We’re not getting out here.” Enzo strokes my arm. I sit back in my seat.
“I’ll
call you tomorrow Ava.” Gabby says as she and Calvin exit the car.
Grayson turns the car around and heads up the road to what I now know is Enzo’s house. The last time we were here, it was my birthday. What a heavenly night that was. That was when I knew how much this man loved me. Now he wants to marry me. It’s so unbelievable.
We pull into the driveway and Grayson stops in front of the door.
Enzo steps out of the car and opens my door for me. I’ve learned to wait for this. I wonder if he will always be this romantic. I think I already know the answer to that.
I step out and watch Enzo and Grayson bring in our luggage. Hmm, we’re staying here? Last time I was here, there was only a bed and some rented seating. Stepping into the foyer, I survey my surroundings, realizing it all looks very familiar. Is that my sofa? Wait a minute, everything in the room is mine! Enzo walks up behind me.
“We’ll use your things for now, but eventually you can pick whatever you want for this house. This is where we live now.”
“How did you—?”
“I told you before, I have many smart people on my team.”
Grayson says goodbye and I plop down on the couch, completely astounded. Enzo sits next to me and rubs my aching feet. It looks like a completely different house, the walls are painted and fixtures installed. My furniture, as nice as it is, is dwarfed by the cavernous living room.
“This is going to be so much fun to decorate Enzo.”
“Yes, and it’s ours. It will be a reflection of both of us.”
“You still spoil me.”
“Get used to it.”
“I am.”
“You are now aren’t you? You haven’t argued with me in weeks.” He tickles my foot. “It makes me so happy that you let me do things for you. I would do anything for you, you know that right?”
“Yes. I would do the same for you.”
“All I want from you is your love, your trust, your support, and your faith in me. Everything you’ve already given me. It’s made me a better man, a better boss, and the most important thing is that it’s made me happy, something I didn’t even know I wasn’t until I met you.”
“I knew I wasn’t happy when I met you. I was so sad, and afraid of trusting my heart. But you came in and restored my faith in men, but mostly, you restored my faith in myself. I can trust myself again. I know now what real love feels like.”
Turn Towards the Sun Page 27
