Read Online Turn Towards the Sun Book Two: After the Rain by Jennifer Domenico - Free Book Online Page B

just hit me all of a sudden how horrible it was. “I’m handling it. We had a great time in Italy and we don’t really talk about it. By the way, unless you want to see Enzo blow his lid, I wouldn’t say that woman’s name around him again.”
    “Who? Anna?”
    I nod. “It’s a rule.”
    “Yes, a good rule.” Francesca lightly touches my arm. “So now what?”
    “Now we start building our life together. My friend, Cassie, and her boyfriend are moving here in a couple of weeks. Plus I’m going to be working with you again, and I talked Enzo into getting a puppy. All regular things,” I announce, smiling.
    “And the baby? When is there going to be baby?” She grins at me.
    “Not you too, Checca,” I sigh. “Can I be married for a month before I get pregnant, please?”
    “Yes, of course. I’m just… hopeful.”
    “You’ll get your babies, I promise. What about you? What’s going on with you?” I ask.
    Francesca stands, and lays out several tiles and paint swatches. “Yes, my life is good.”
    The two of us get to work on matching the tiles and paint. Checca has a lot of ideas for the rooms of the downtown hotel. The lobby will be purple and white, just like Enzo wanted, and we plan to put ornate chandeliers in there too. The decor will be a unique blend of high-end luxury and modern trendiness.
    Francesca turns to me. “Yes, Ava, I was thinking this one for the floors and walls of the rooms.” She shows me a very pale travertine tile and a light cream paint swatch. They both appear almost white, with just a slight hint of color. “Then we can add pops of color around the room with pillows, drapery, and art. What do you think?”
    I nod. “I like it, a nice, neutral base. What colors are we using in the rooms?”
    “I was thinking we go with the purple and white theme. This way, as you say, we can switch it easily if we want to,” Francesca replies.
    “What about orange as an accent, along with the purple?” I suggest.
    “Ooh, yes! I love this idea. What are you thinking, pillows?”
    “Sure, pillows, and maybe a throw at the bottom of the beds. Maybe some in the art, things like that.”
    “I would not have thought of orange. Enzo says I play it safe too much.” Laughter explodes from her throat. “I think he is right sometimes, no?”
    “I don’t know, Girasole is beautiful,” I point out. “Sometimes safe is elegant and breathtaking.”
    She smiles. “Yes, but bold and quirky is nice too. I like it.”
    “What do you think about going over the top for the bathrooms? I love a luxurious bathroom.”
    “Over the top – what does this mean?” Francesca asks.
    “Well, the lobby will have chandeliers, so why not smaller ones for the bathrooms, maybe over the bathtubs?”
    Francesca taps her bottom lip with her pencil; her adorable habit when she’s thinking. Then she lights up. “Yes, let’s draw it.” She grabs a sketch of the bathroom and quickly draws a small chandelier over the large, soaking tub, before lifting the paper to show me. “Like this?”
    I nod my head. “Do you like it, Checca?”
    “Yes. We are going for luxury and want people to spend time in their rooms. It’s a good addition.” She grins. “Yes, I think it is good for you to handle the bathrooms. You design them, but I have final approval, no?”
    Seriously? She wants to me take on my own project already?
    “I don’t know if I’m ready for that yet,” I say, shyly. “That’s a lot of responsibility.”
    “No. It’s good. You will learn this way and I will help you, of course. Don’t worry. Plus there is so much to do that we need to do it this way.”
    I realize that Francesca has made up her mind. So that’s that.
    Enzo approaches us. “Amore, I just received a call and I need to go downtown to get some permits. I should only be a couple of hours or so, then I’ll be back to pick you up.”
    “Okay, I’ll be fine here with Checca.”
    He kisses my cheek and then he’s off. Francesca and