Chapter 26 #2
She’s literally beaming at me when she hands me the gift bag.
Reaching into the bag I feel something soft but a little heavy.
It feels like fabric with something chunky adding weight to it.
I pull it out of the bag to find a gorgeous dress.
It’s made from stretchy black shimmery fabric.
Before I could even open it up completely to reveal the design, I knew it would be stunning.
Holding it up and out in front of me, I see it’s form fitting, it’s short, very short.
Probably up to about mid-thigh. It has a deep neckline that plunges halfway down the front of the dress.
The back is pretty much the same, open back plunging down low.
The heavy chunky bits I felt are four rows of thin but weighty chain that go down the back in tiers.
The first tier starts at one shoulder going across to the other shoulder with a little slack so the chain hangs in an inverted arch, this pattern is repeated three more times, each chain getting smaller than the last, the lower it goes.
It has long sleeves that end in a point with a single loop which I assume hooks onto my middle finger on each hand.
“Evie! It’s beautiful, I mean it’s stunning, but where is the rest of it?”
“First, you’re welcome. Second, it’s not that bad. It covers everything that needs to be covered I promise.”
“Thank you so much babe, but when am I ever going to wear a dress like this?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” She smiles that scheming Evie smile.
“Tonight!” She’s practically bouncing in her seat.
“I am not wearing that dress anywhere in Chicago. Especially not at a restaurant.”
“Why would I make you wear that dress to a restaurant?”
“You said we were going out to dinner?” It’s more of a question than a statement.
“I did, and we are. We’re going to Elysium. They serve dinner till 11 and they open the dancefloor at midnight.”
I’m sure my eyes are trying to bug out of my head.
“You’re taking me to a club?”
“Yup.”
I look at Cecelia, a little embarrassed by the topic. How can she trust me to take care of her grandchild when my friend is taking me galivanting in clubs during my free time? I’m just about to decline when Cecelia interrupts me.
“You should go Elena, you’re still young and beautiful. I don’t know what type of life you’ve left behind to be here with us but you deserve to let loose occasionally. Go out, have fun, enjoy yourself and live a little. Responsibly, though.”
“I’ve never been to a club before.”
“All the more reason to go, don’t you think? Besides it’s your birthday, make an exception.”
Shortly after, I hug Cecelia and kiss Angelo goodbye.
“You be a good boy for Nonna, okay?”
He smiles and nods his head in two times speed… so adorable.
“I’m going to miss you my little Angel.” I give him another kiss and squeeze him tight before saying our final goodbyes.
“Have fun dear and don’t you worry about Angelo. He’ll be fine. I think Tony is coming over in a bit so he’s going to get lots of loving.”
“Unc Tony caaandeee.” Angelo blurts out and giggles.
“I knew it was Tony giving you candy.” I can’t help but laugh as I wave at him while they walk out of the restaurant.
It’s almost 5:30 when we leave as well. Heading back to the house I’m excited about going out tonight. Matt and I only ever went to the mall, for lunch, dinner or a movie. That was about as fun as it got. I find myself growing even more anxious as we approach the gates.
“Shit!” I completely forgot.
“What is it?”
“I completely forgot to ask Enzo if you could stay over.”
“That’s okay. We could always go to a BnB or a Road lodge. Don’t stress about it”
“I’m such an ass. I’m sorry. I don’t think he’d mind. It’s just better to ask him first you know. He never said I couldn’t have female friends over.”
“Yeah, but let’s not forget he isn’t my biggest fan either.”
I roll my eyes at her. Pulling in to my parking bay, I notice Enzo’s car is parked in bay 1.
“Strange, Enzo is home.”
“Oh yay! Cause I can’t tell you how much I wanted to see him.”
“Sarcasm suits you babe.”
“I know right!”
“Come on, let’s get inside and get ready. I need to shower again, that little Angel drooled all over my shirt.”
Inside, the house is lit up but it’s quiet. I take Evie’s coat and hang it on the coat rack with mine. Evie is leaning against the kitchen counter taking in the surroundings as if she hasn’t been here before.
“He’s probably in his office. Would you like something to drink before we go up?”
“Nah, I’m good thanks. Let’s go get you all sexified for tonight. Who knows, maybe you’ll even get laid. God knows you need it. It must be as dry as the Sahara down there.”
I turn to face her and give her the finger while walking out of the kitchen and slam right into a familiar wall off muscle, the air jolted out of my lungs.
The impact catching me off guard, making me lose my balance.
My instincts send my hands flying up to grab at his shirt as his arm goes around me, his hand splayed against the small of my back, holding me steady.
I look up into his jade eyes, but his gaze is cast down, focused on my mouth.
I gulp; my throat suddenly dry making it hard to swallow.
We stay like that, in suspended animation, Evie all but forgotten. My ability to speak seems to have disappeared, leaving me temporarily mute. Thankfully he’s the first to break the silence.
“Are you okay?”
Trying and failing to find my voice again I simply nod. With that he releases me, making sure I’m steady on my feet first.
Stepping back two steps, I lick my now dry lips to add some moisture to them.
Almost immediately Enzo’s eyes go back to my lips.
His stare causing a blush to creep up my neck and rise to my cheeks.
Just when I think he’s going to kiss me, in front of Evie no less, instead, he pulls something out of his pocket and places it in my hand. I merely blink at him confused.
“Chapstick!” He says simply.
I shake my head not understanding.
“We wouldn’t want any part of you to be … dry.”
Shock washes over me. The son of a bitch! Forgive me Cecelia. Did he hear our conversation?
He simply makes his way past me to the coffee machine.
“Evelyn!” He acknowledges her presence but makes no move towards conversation.
“Caveman!” She counters.
“So! Are you spending your night off here? I thought you would prefer to go out. It’s been a while since you had fun. I don’t think you’ve ever gone out for fun in the few months you’ve been here.”
He’s addressing me and effectively dismissing Evie.
“Actually, we’re going out. We had a late lunch with your mum and she took Angel with her. We just came back to shower and change.”
“Sounds great, I can have my driver take you wherever you’re going if you like. There’s a great little restaurant down the street from the Chinese shop you like.”
“Thank you but we’ll be fine… uhm… Enzo, while you’re here. Is it okay if Evie spends the night? I completely forgot to ask you and you were busy anyway. But if it’s a problem, we can stay at a BnB or maybe a Roa…”
“It’s fine. Not a problem at all. Your friend can have the guest room next to Angelo’s.”
“Thank you so much, the guest room is not necessary, she’ll share my room.”
“Well, it’s available if you change your mind.”
“Thanks again.”
“Evie! We should go get ready?”
I motion for her to follow me. We’re almost out the kitchen when she stops and turns towards Enzo. He’s still looking at us and I swear I can feel the heat from his gaze searing my soul.
“Thank you, Lorenzo. You know you can be charming when you want to be.”