Free Turn Towards the Sun Book Two: After the Rain by Jennifer Domenico Page A

bought a dog bed, food and water bowls, and some toys. How sweet. I suddenly feel a strong desire to make this man a father. “Thank you,” I say instead.
    “You wanted a puppy. I got you a puppy. Just another expression of my love for you,” Enzo explains.
    I sit on the couch and cuddle my sweet pup. “I’m very clear about your love for me. I’ve never doubted it, from the moment you told me.”
    Enzo sits next to me and gently pets the puppy’s head, and I lean over to kiss his cheek. “I love you too. You know that,” I tell him.
    “That is more than obvious. Now, let’s eat some cupcakes. We need to fatten you up, signora.”
    I laugh. “ Only if you feed them to me. It’s been a while since I’ve had the pleasure, signore.”
    He raises his eyebrows. “As you wish,” he says, picking up the nearest cupcake and peeling the wrapper back for me. I sink my teeth into a sweet, creamy filling.
    “Mmm…”
    Enzo leans over and licks some of the cream off my lips, sending a surge of desire running through my body. “Yes, mmm,” he says, grinning at me. “What should we name our pup?”
    I already know the answer. “Maximus Decimus Meridius, after the main character in Gladiator ,” I reply.
    Enzo bursts into laughter and wipes his eyes. “Can we call him something shorter?”
    “We can call him Maximus.” I rub the puppy’s belly and chuckle.
     
    4 CHAPTER FOUR
     
    I pace the living room, nervously waiting for the phone to ring. The last time Cassie called, she and Chris were lost, and heading towards New Mexico. Enzo managed to get them back on track, but it has been hours. They encountered a lot of bad weather on the way here, and I won’t relax until they pull into our driveway. Cassie hasn’t answered her phone lately, so I assume the battery died or she is out of range. Stubbornly, she wouldn’t let us pay for a moving company.
    My phone rings. It’s Enzo. “Hey, babe,” I say.
    “Are they there yet?” he asks.
    “No. They should be by now, I would think.”
    “Don’t worry. They’ll make it,” he says, trying to comfort me.
    “I know. I’m fine,” I lie.
    “Where is Maximus?” Enzo asks.
    “Playing with his chew toy in the yard…”
    “Well, why don’t you go play with him, blow off some steam.”
    “Because it’s cold and raining outside,” I reply. “Crazy dog.”
    “Okay, bella, I have a few more things to finish up at the office,” he says. “Just try to relax. Call me when they get there.”
    “I will.”
    After hanging up the phone, I pour myself a cup of tea and sit on the couch in an attempt to distract myself. I’ve always hated people driving long distances. I don’t know why, because nothing bad has ever happened to me or anyone I know on the road. I just don’t like it.
    Maximus barks in the backyard and I jump up, hoping that means he can hear a car. I run out onto the front porch and see the gates opening. A large moving truck passes through and heads up the drive. They made it!
    Chris cuts the ignition and Cassie gets out, looking pissed and tired. “I thought it was always hot and sunny here. It snows in Arizona? What the hell,” she grumbles, stomping towards me. A hen-pecked Chris follows closely behind.
    “It snows up north, Cass, not here,” I say, hugging her, despite her surliness.
    “Well, it’s been spitting this cold water on us all the way here. I thought I left Denver,” she complains. Chris looks at me apologetically.
    “Come in,” I reply, warmly. “I have a fire going and we can get you some food. You sound a little hungry, Cass.” She’s a mean one when she’s hungry.
    My friend rolls her eyes and walks into the house. I watch her shake herself off in the foyer and kick off her shoes, before heading into the living room where she plops down in front of the fireplace. Just then, Maximus charges through the dog door and tackles her with big, sloppy dog kisses.
    Cassie explodes with laughter. “A dog? That’s