Turn Towards the Sun: Book Three- Forever in Bloom (The Sunflower Trilogy) (13 page)

LOOKING ACROSS LAX airport, I see my mom and dad standing in the waiting areas in front of security. As expected, my mom bursts into tears as soon as she sees me.

“Hi, mom,” I say, hugging her.

We all hug and greet each other as my dad hurries us to the car. Our first stop is my cousin’s house for lunch. I’m told most of my family came, but my Aunt Gladys refused to come. She lives in Maine and decided she couldn’t handle the flight across the country. To say my mother is upset is an understatement.

Cassie and I listen as she complains about various family members and how arguments regarding what Gramps left in his will have already started. Cassie looks over at me and quietly says, “Wouldn’t be a family event without some drama.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” I whisper back.

We get in the car as my dad attempts to navigate LA traffic to get to my cousin’s house. I can only imagine that the next four days are going to be a combination of happiness, sadness, and catching up with a dollop of family tension. I decide to make the best of it. They might not be the perfect family, but they are mine.

My phone buzzes so I take it out of my purse to read my text message.

HB&M:
I already miss you. How will I survive four days without you?

Me:
I don’t even want to think about it.

HB&M:
Ti amo, bella. Per sempre.

Me:
Io pure. Per sempre.

“What are you doing over there?” Cassie asks.

“Texting with Enzo. He’s so sweet.”

“That’s an understatement. Hey,” she says, pointing at the screen of my phone. “What does that mean?”

“HB&M?” I laugh. “Hot, bossy, and mine. I used to call him hot and bossy. I changed it after we were married.”

“Gee, that’s romantic.”

“You’re right.” I edit the contact listing to read, simply, Enzo. “How’s that?” I ask showing her.

“Not romantic but at least it’s not goofy. Besides, he’s not that bossy anymore, right?”

“Right. He’s still hot though. In my opinion anyway.”

“I don’t think anyone would argue with you on that point. Does it bother you at all the way women look at him?”

“No, not at all. I know that he doesn’t notice them. He only wants me. Even if someone really tried, I am positive she would be unsuccessful.”

“Oh for sure. No doubt how he feels about you. I just wondered how it feels to be with someone who gets noticed everywhere he goes for lots of reasons. I mean, you’re no slouch in the looks department either so that helps.”

“Sometimes I have to remind myself that I snagged that man. Me. I did that. He picked me.”

“No, Ava. You picked him. He was just smart enough to recognize what a catch you are.”

“Thanks, Cass. I think we suit each other well.”

“You do. Especially with all the shit that has happened to you. You guys are tight.”

“Better because of it. I truly believe that.”

“So do I.”

My mom turns around and smiles at us. “What are you two whispering about back there?”

“Nothing, Mom. Just life.”

“You have to embrace it. You never know when the clock will run out or when something will change.”

“Agreed,” Cassie says.

“Thanks for coming out. I know it’s hard to leave Enzo and with the loss of the…”

I lift my hand to stop her. “It’s cool, Mom. I’m happy to be here for you.”

She smiles again and turns back in her seat.

I PULL OUT my phone to call Enzo. Tonight is his big award’s dinner and it’s starting to hit me how much I miss him. There is no where I’d rather be than standing next to him when he is acknowledged. I dial his phone and wait as it rings a few times.

“Amore, come stai?” Enzo’s beautifully accented voice comes through the line.

“Ciao, tesoro. I’m okay but I miss you terribly.”

“I feel the same. Tonight is just not the same without you by my side. How is your family? And your mother, how is she handling things?”

“Fine. Everything’s fine. It’s good to see my grandma and a few of my cousins are here that I haven’t seen since I was a teenager. It’s strange to see us all grown with spouses and kids.”

“I imagine it is.”

We both sit quietly on the phone for a moment before Enzo speaks again. “Ava…”

“Yes?”

“I was sitting here today in my hotel room looking around. It’s big and beautiful, very luxurious. My tux is hanging on the door and the party promises to be very lavish. Every professional accomplishment in my life has always been so important to me and well…”

“What is it, Enzo?”

“I want you here to share it with me. All of this has lost its luster without my beautiful angel to enjoy it too. Without you, it’s just a commitment I have to fulfill. When your eyes meet mine across a room, my heart fills with pride. Pride that you chose me. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

“Enzo, that is so sweet but it will make me so sad if you don’t enjoy yourself tonight. You deserve this recognition and I am with you. My heart is one hundred percent in Vegas with you right now. You have been on my mind all day. Cassie and I drove out to Manhattan Beach for a latte and all I could think about was what a cute town it was and how I’d like to explore it with you. I love Cassie and my family, but they are not a replacement for you. You must know how hard it is for me to be here separated from you?”

“I do know, amore. In your absence it’s just so apparent how much of my life you fill. There is a big gaping hole right now. Hearing your voice is wonderful, but I cannot wait to see your beautiful face again.”

“Good,” I giggle. “I’m gonna jump your bones the minute I get home.”

“Well, that sounds delightful,” he replies, laughing.

“Please enjoy yourself tonight.”

“I will do my best, amore. You should try to have fun as well.”

“You’re right. I’ll try. I love you.”

“I love you too, bella. Ciao.”

“Ciao.” I hang up wishing I could jump on the first plane to Vegas, but it’s not possible. My mom would be so upset. The funeral went well this morning, but there are so many family obligations still.

I glance at my reflection in the mirror of the guest bedroom in my grandmother’s house. This tiny two-bedroom house was filled with my grandparents and their five children growing up. One bathroom and three girls- no thank you.

Now we are faced with deciding what to do with my grandmother. She probably shouldn’t really be living here alone anymore. My aunts and uncles check on her, but that’s not the same as helping her. She won’t leave though. Stubborn as, well, me. I smile to myself and head back into the living room with everyone else.

Cassie is sitting on the sofa listening to my Aunt Sarah’s crazy stories of the time she lived in London. I settle in next to Cass and listen too. If I can’t be in Vegas with Enzo, then this really isn’t such a bad place to be for a while.

We leave tomorrow morning, so I decide to make the best of the time I have with my family knowing that I have the rest of my life to be with Enzo.

THROUGH CLOUDY EYES, I stare at my reflection trying desperately to make sense of my surroundings. I have no idea what is happening right now. All I know is Francesca is screaming at me and throwing things around the room. Her words sound a million miles away and I can barely make sense of anything she is saying. Woman. Yes, there was a woman here. With red hair, no? I run my hands through my hair, willing my memory to speak up.

Francesca pushes me down on the bed and hands me a bottle of water from the mini bar. Hotel. That’s right. I’m at the hotel. In Las Vegas. I was at dinner? Wait. I shake my head. Why can’t I remember? My gaze shifts to my sister who is using the telephone. She paces back and forth staring anxiously at me, and it dawns on me that something is wrong. Very, very wrong.

“Yes, Enzo. The hotel is bringing coffee for you now. I don’t know what we’re going to do about this. Do you remember anything at all?” Francesca asks.

“Checca,” I start but my voice sounds distant even to me. “What happened here? I feel…wrong.”

“I don’t know what happened, Enzo. You left the dinner table and you were gone for a while. I called your phone, but you did not answer. Something did not feel right, so I came here to look for you. I pounded on the door and when you answered that woman was in your bathroom. Do you know how she got up here?”

“I have no idea. I remember dinner…then I didn’t feel well. The next thing I know, you are here and there was yelling. I don’t even know who that was.”

Francesca answers the knock at the door and takes the tray with the coffee from the hotel worker. I watch her cross the room back to me, seemingly in slow motion, and pour me a cup of coffee. I drink it down as fast as I can tolerate the heat, praying it will clear my head. I don’t recall drinking enough wine at dinner to affect me in this way.

“Enzo,” Francesca starts and sits on the bed next to me. “The woman was Anna.”

My eyes shoot open wide. It isn’t possible. “What? How could that be? That woman had red hair and…” I stop speaking while my brain races with possibility.

Francesca rubs my hand. “It was her. I’m sure. I can tell from looking at you that you are not yourself.” She reaches out and rubs my hand. “Do you think she drugged you, Enzo? I don’t know what happened up here, but she was naked and you seem compromised as well.”

“Compromised?” I ask as a sickening feeling begins to build in my stomach.

“Yes. Do you think it’s possible…?” Francesca stands and shakes her head. “Oh it’s just too horrible to even say it, Enzo. Did you cheat on Ava?”

“No!” I stand up quickly but fall back slightly against the bed, my footing still unsure. “There is absolutely no way I would ever do that. You know that, Checca!”

“I know, but what if you didn’t know you did? What if she took advantage of you in your state?” Checca’s eyes begin to fill with tears as I stumble to the patio and open the door. I step out, letting the fresh air attempt to clear my head. Gripping the balcony, I cannot believe for one moment that I let my guard down enough to do anything with any woman other than Ava, let alone that fucking bitch Anna. Drugged or not, it’s just not possible. Is it?

Francesca comes from behind me and leans her head against my back, sobbing softly. “What are you going to do, Enzo? It will kill Ava and after the baby…” her voice breaks as she continues crying. “It will kill her.”

“I know, Checca. I can’t believe this. I’d rather jump off this balcony than hurt Ava.” I turn around and wrap my arms around my sister. “Thank you for coming for me. If you hadn’t, who knows what she would have done.”

“Enzo, I slapped her. Hard. Many times.” Francesca frowns but a smile quickly overtakes her face. “I was so angry I wanted to kill her when I realized it was her.”

“I know what we need to do.” I walk back inside and pour another cup of coffee. I don’t feel 100% yet but I can feel my senses slowly returning. “Anna is too crafty and I don’t want to take any chances trying to deal with her myself. Calling the police would likely result in a media circus I can’t afford. We need to hire a private investigator to find her. Hotel security can provide some clues as well. She will not get away with this.”