“Is that one of Mario Batali’s restaurants?” I ask.
“It is. We can walk or grab a cab,” Calvin suggests.
“I think we should walk. I love walking the strip,” Gabby says.
Francesca points down to her sky-high wedges. “I prefer the cab, no?”
I laugh. “Checca, we have a lot of shopping to do today. You may want to change your shoes.”
She sticks out her bottom lip in a dramatic pout. “Yes, okay. I’ll be back subito.”
Enzo laughs. “Getting Checca to change her shoes is very impressive, signora.”
“I think it was the promise of shopping more than anything else,” I reply.
Francesca returns quickly, and we start our walk to the Venetian. It isn’t too far, technically, but with so many hotels in between, it seems to take much longer than it should. By the time we walk into the restaurant and get our table, I’m famished and could eat a horse.
We order a ton of food, all of which is amazing. We have pizzas, different sliced meats, pastas, vegetable dishes, and several bottles of wine. It’s a beautiful meal and much better than the mass-produced buffet I had in mind.
“I’ve always wanted to eat at one of Batali’s restaurants,” I tell Enzo.
“A fantasy then?” He smirks.
“I don’t know that I would qualify it as a fantasy. Just a desire,” I reply.
“Mmm, desire. Yes, I know a lot about that since I met you.”
“What are you two whispering about over there?” Cassie asks.
“Fantasies and desires,” Enzo answers.
She scrunches her nose. “Geez, at lunch?”
Enzo laughs. “You asked, no?”
“He’s got you there,” Chris says to Cassie.
Just then, Eduardo clears his voice. “This… lunch… is, um, very good,” he announces, his words coming out staccato. Francesca rubs his hand.
Enzo’s eyes widen. “Bravo, Eduardo. You’ve learned some English.”
The man smiles proudly. “Yes, I go to the school.”
“Wonderful, Eduardo,” I say with a smile.
“Grazie. No, um, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“So, Marisa, where are you from originally?” I ask, in an attempt to draw her into the conversation. She has been very quiet so far.
“New York,” she replies. “I lived there all my life, until three years ago.” Her strong accent startles me momentarily as I never noticed it before.
“Wow, cool. Do you miss it?” I ask.
She smiles. “Not at all, I prefer living in Phoenix. It’s easier and warmer, for sure.”
I suddenly find myself fascinated by Marisa. Her appearance is that of a softly spoken, young beauty, but her voice sounds like a character in an NYPD episode. What a strange dynamic. She flips her fiery red hair around.
“Did you ever do New Year’s Eve in Times Square?” Cassie asks her.
“Lots of times,” Marisa says. “It’s always so cold, but it can be fun if you get a lot of people together.”
We finish lunch, and I watch everyone begin to argue over who is going to pay our enormous tab. I excuse myself from the table, approach our waitress, and hand her my Amex card. “Would you please put our bill on this?” I tell her.
“Yes ma’am.”
I return to my seat, and enjoy the look on everyone’s faces when the waitress comes back with my card and the receipt. Signing it, I decide to add a ridiculously large tip. I glance at Enzo whose grin is a mile wide.
“My treat,” I say, smiling at everyone, before whispering to Enzo, “Only forty-nine thousand to spend now.”
“Brava, amore.” He kisses my cheek.
The waitress returns, her face flushed. “Mrs. Milano, you must have made a mistake on the receipt.”
“I didn’t. I meant that tip for you. After all, you handled such a large table very gracefully. I very much enjoyed the meal.”
The waitress blushes again. “Thank you so much.”
“My pleasure.”
As our group stands to leave, I realize that I made the waitress’ day, and maybe her month. Enzo is right – that felt incredible. At the door of the restaurant, we all make our plans for the rest of the day. The women are going shopping and the men to the casinos.
Enzo kisses me. “Have fun. Be a diva.”
“Diva. Got it.” I smile.
Us girls walk down the Strip towards the Bellagio.
Cassie loops her arm in mine and asks, “What’s with the diva comment?”
I grin. “Inside joke…”
“So, why did you get upset about not going to the buffet earlier?”
“I wasn’t upset. I’m just adjusting to my new upscale lifestyle,” I explain. “Remember when you and I came here? We picked a different buffet to try every day.”
“Yeah, those were good times, but all that’s in the past. We’re making new memories right now and new traditions,” Cassie says with a smile.
“I know. I’m dealing with it. Lunch was way better than what I had planned.” I laugh. “Is there anywhere in particular you all want to go first?”
Francesca speaks first. “Yes, I want to go to Bottega Veneta. They have beautiful clothes.”
“It sounds like a restaurant.” Cassie cackles.
Francesca laughs too. “No food, but the clothes, they are yummy.”
“Is there a regular store at Bellagio? Like a Macy’s or something?” Gabby asks.
“No, not at Bellagio,” I tell her. “We’re going fancy shopping today.”
She sighs. “I didn’t want to use the entire budget that Calvin gave me.”
“What’s the point of a budget then?” I smile sweetly.
Gabby rolls her eyes, but I grab her around the shoulders, making her laugh. She wrinkles her nose and admits, “He gave me too much to spend.”
“Trust me, I went through this with Enzo, and the party we are going to is ultra-lux,” I say. “We could see some celebrities even. We need to look our absolute best and that means spending a little bit of dough.”
She shrugs. “Yeah, I guess.”
Cassie puts her hands on her hips. “What is it with you money-resistant women? Isn’t this every woman’s dream, finding a man with money?” she asks. “I know I’ve been loving it since Chris started making a lot more money. It just makes life easier. Technically, I don’t even need to work if I don’t want to.”
“I agree, Cass, it does make things easier. I don’t fight it nearly as much as I used to. That’s what the diva comment was about. Enzo still has to encourage me sometimes. But, today, I’m just going to get whatever I want, regardless of the cost.”
“Marisa, is there anything you’re interested in?” Cassie asks.
“I’ll go wherever. I don’t wear dresses much, so I have no idea where to go.”
“Bottega Veneta it is then,” I say, as we walk into the Bellagio.
I’ve walked down Via Bellagio many a time, too afraid to enter most of the stores, but today I’m on a mission. I have a challenge to meet. We walk into Bottega Veneta and look at all the fabulous clothes. I notice right away that Gabby and Marisa look mighty uncomfortable. Quite honestly, these clothes are a little high fashion for me too. On the other hand, Francesca and Cassie look like they’ve died and gone to heaven.
“Hey ladies, do you want to go down the way with me to Chanel and Armani?” I ask. “I thought I would look there for something.”
Gabby lights up. “Chanel? Absolutely.”
“Sure,” Marisa agrees.
“We’ll meet up with you two later. Have fun,” I tell Francesca and Cassie.
We walk into Chanel first. Gabby gravitates towards a stunning, shimmering blue gown. It is strapless with an empire waistband decked out in crystals. From there, the fabric billows and flows romantically to the floor. It’s gorgeous.
“I love this, Ava. What do you think?”
“I think it’s beautiful and you should tr
y it on,” I reply.
“I agree,” Marisa chimes in.
A saleswoman approaches and smiles broadly at us. “It sounds like you found something you like,” she says.
Gabby nods. “Yes, I’d like to try this on, please.”
“Certainly.” She looks Gabby up and down, and pulls out a size four.
“Do you see anything you like, Marisa?” I ask.
She grins. “I think I’ll wait for Armani with you. This stuff is a little conservative for my taste.”
The two of us take a seat and wait for Gabby to try on her dress. When she comes out of the dressing room, my mouth falls open. She looks perfect. I know that Calvin will eat her up.
“It’s so pretty,” I tell her.
“Very,” Marisa agrees.
I glance out the store window while Gabby gets fitted and picks out some accessories. I need to find a way to spend more money.
At that moment I see a couple of young women walking by, who remind me of Cassie and me a couple of years ago. They stop and stare at a boutique window full of handbags, and I can tell from their reaction that they want to go in, but it’s too expensive. This is my opportunity.
14 CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“I’ll be right back,” I holler to my friends, and dart out of the store and across the hallway. I quickly enter the store, passing by the two women, and find a salesgirl.
“May I help you?” she asks.
“Yes, can you help me? I want to buy those two women a handbag, but I don’t want them to know about it.”
Her face fills with surprise. “Why?”
“I’m just being nice today. I want to.” I can’t stop grinning. This is awesome.
“Okay,” the salesgirl replies. “Let me think.”
Turning around, I spot the two women tentatively peeking inside the store. Good, they’re still here.
“I have an idea.” The salesgirl winks and walks behind the counter. She flashes the lights in the boutique off and on for a moment, getting everyone’s attention.
The two women look up and seem ready to dart out of the store when the salesgirl approaches them. “Ladies, congratulations, you’ve both just won a random act of luxury,” she tells them.
A random act of luxury? That’s fantastic.
“What?” the blond woman asks.
“Earlier today, we had a customer offer to buy two handbags for our hundredth customer. You came in together, so that’s you two.”
Boy, she’s slick. She’s lying through her teeth and is completely convincing.
“Seriously?” the blond asks again.
“Seriously, please pick out anything you want.” The salesgirl glances over at me as she talks and I nod my head.
Hoping that they choose something super expensive, I follow behind them as they shop. I can see the excitement from the salesgirl for her potential commission when she makes this sale. She shows the women two large bags from the latest collection. They look like something Checca would use – very high fashion and stylish.
I watch the two women pick out a bag each, as excited as if it is Christmas morning. Picking up the one that the salesgirl was drooling over, I look at the tag and cringe. Unbelievable. I can’t imagine ever buying a purse that costs this much.
I motion for the salesgirl to join me. She excuses herself from the two women, who chat excitedly over the handbags. I hand her my Amex. “Here’s my card,” I say. “Can you find a way to ring it up so they get the receipts?”
“Of course,” she replies. “I’ll give them gift receipts so they can register the bags.”
As the salesgirl collects the bags from the women, I sit down in a chair and then watch her ring them up. The two women can barely contain themselves.
“I can’t believe this. It’s so awesome. Who would do this for total strangers?” the brunette asks her friend.
“A very kind person who just wanted to do something nice for someone else, I guess,” the salesgirl says. When she finishes ringing up the purchases, she wraps up the bags.
The blond takes hers and says, “If you ever see that person again, please say thank you for us. It made our whole trip.”
“I certainly will.”
I watch the two women walk out of the store practically skipping. The salesgirl walks over to me with the receipt. “That was really cool, Mrs. Milano. Here’s your receipt.”
“Thank you for your help. You were very creative.”
I take the receipt and try to keep my mouth closed. It’s for nearly three thousand dollars. Just like that. In less than fifteen minutes. I walk out of the store and head back to Chanel.
“Where did you go?” Gabby asks as I approach the counter where she is buying her gown.
“That shop over there. I was just looking at a bag I had my eye on,” I reply, trying to sound nonchalant. “They didn’t have the color I wanted.”
“That’s a really expensive shop. My sister loves the place,” Marisa says.
“Maybe we should get your sister one?” I suggest.
Marisa laughs. “No way! I’m not dropping a grand on her. I love the girl, but come on.”
“A thousand dollars, just for a purse?” gasps Gabby in shock.
Marisa nods. “Yes and some of them are more than that, I think.”
“And you were going to buy one, Ava?” Gabby says.
“I was thinking about it. I didn’t know about the cost ahead of time.”
Now I’m feeling nervous. I know I can’t let anyone figure out what I’m up to, but it’s unlike me to have no regard for the cost of things. I need to keep my guard up.
“You’re acting kind of funny, Ava. What are you up to?” Gabby asks me.
Ah crap, she’s onto me.
“Nothing at all,” I reply. “We still need to go to Armani and I want to pick out something nice for Enzo. Where are Checca and Cassie?”
“I see them – sitting over there on that bench,” Marisa says, pointing ahead.
As we walk, I realize that everyone will pay attention to the things I buy. This is going to be harder than I thought. We pass a jewelry store and I peek inside. There is a gorgeous rose-gold watch in the window that I think Enzo would love.
“Isn’t this watch nice?” I say, just as Cassie and Francesca walk up behind me.
“What do you think, Checca? Will your brother like this?”
She nods. “Yes, I think so.”
“Is it for something special?” Cassie asks.
“Sort of. I never bought him anything for a wedding gift, so I thought I would make up for it now.”
I hope that is convincing enough as I walk inside the store to make the purchase. When I approach the salesman behind the counter, he basically ignores me, so I clear my throat.
He looks up at me with the nerve to act irritated. “Yes ma’am?”
“I want to make a purchase.”
“What would you like to see?”
“The rose-gold watch in the window,” I reply.
His eyes widen just a bit and he hurries off to get it.
“He’s sort of a little prissy, isn’t he?” Cassie remarks.
“Yes, but if he works on commission, he’s about to be in for a treat,” I say.
“What’s up with you all of a sudden?” she asks.
“Nothing, I just feel like buying a few nice things today. What’s the big deal?”
“It’s just very unusual for you, that’s all,” Gabby adds.
“I’m having fun in Vegas. Enzo wants me to have fun, so that’s what I’m doing.”
The salesman approaches, handing me the watch. In my hands, it feels like it weighs twenty pounds. It is quite stunning, and I imagine it will look amazing against Enzo’s sultry olive skin.
“I’ll take it. Can you have it sent to my hotel?” I ask. “I don’t want to walk around with it.”
“Yes ma’am, of course.”
Mr. Snooty is suddenly quite accommodating and I hand him my Amex card.
; “How much does that thing cost?” Gabby whispers.
I shrug. I’m handed the receipt to sign and do so quickly, without even registering the price. After I give the salesman my hotel information, we leave.
Next stop is Armani to pick dresses for Marisa and I. Right away, I spot a black one that I like. The back is sheer, with an intricate lace design that dips low, while the front is sequined. The dress falls just above the knees.
“I want to try this one,” I say. “What do you think, ladies?”
“Yes, Ava, I love it. You must try it,” says Checca.
“I was hoping for something that wasn’t black, but this is truly gorgeous.”
A woman approaches. “Hello, ladies, can I help you today?”
“Yes, I’d like to try this, please,” I say, handing her the dress.
“Did I overhear you say that you preferred something not black? We have this same dress in a lovely blue shade,” she says.
“Oh, can I see that too?”
“Certainly, I’ll be right back.” She walks across the store.
Marisa walks up with a stunning black gown. “Do you like this, for me?” she asks, holding it up.
Cassie nods. “Yeah, it’s very pretty. You should try it on.”
The saleswoman returns with a blue version of the dress I like.
“I love it,” I tell her. “Can I try it on?”
“Of course,” she replies.
Marisa and I head into the dressing room. Stepping into the blue dress, I slide it on, before studying my reflection in the mirror. The dress hugs my curves nicely and it actually feels comfortable. I practice sitting in it and crossing my legs. This will work. It definitely sexes me up a bit, which is perfect for Vegas.
I step out to get the girls’ opinion.
Gabby whistles. “Wow, girl.”
“Work it,” Cassie says, snapping her fingers.
Francesca smiles. “Yes, it’s very nice.”
“Where’s Marisa?” I ask.
“Right here…”
I turn around to find Marisa wearing the black dress she picked out. It looks great against her pale skin and vibrant red hair.
“You look awesome.” I tell her.
She smiles back at me. “So do you.”
“Well, I guess we’re done here then,” I say, and clap my hands.
Turn Towards the Sun Book Two: After the Rain Page 25
