Page 119 of In Ruins
I take one last look in the mirror, making sure I look okay, before grabbing my purse and heading down the stairs. I’m running a little late to meet my mother-in-law for our shopping trip, all because of my husband.
Though I really don’t mind because we had a really good time this morning. My lips tip up in a smile, remembering exactly what we got up to. I honestly love waking up to Enzo taking me.It just feels so damn right.
“I don’t even want to know what that smile is about,” Giana starts with me when I make my way into the living room.
“Nothing,” I say quickly, though I know for a fact my face is on fire.
“Uh-huh, sure,” she laughs. “Do you want something to eat before we leave?”
“No. Enzo took breakfast up to bed for me this morning and I’m still good. Besides, we’re also going out to eat after we’re done shopping.”
“Come on, let’s get going then,” she tells me as we walk out of the penthouse with Bruno and Umberto ahead of us.
The guys do their usual security checks, telling us to wait in the elevator when we get to the garage while they make sure thearea is clear, then usher us into the SUV. Two other vehicles hold the rest of the guards who will be going with us today. One is in front of ours, while the other is behind.
When we get to the Oak Street District, where some of the high-end boutiques are located, Bruno and Umberto step out of the vehicle and canvas the area to make sure there’s no danger lurking around, before Bruno walks over and opens my door for me. I get out with Giana behind me.
When I get out onto the sidewalk, I see the other guards are already out of their vehicles, also sweeping the area and making sure there’s no danger.
Two of the guards take up their positions standing in front of the boutique we’re about to head into, while the remaining four spread out. Bruno and Umberto are the only ones who follow us in.
I see some other men in suits standing the same way my guards are, and I’m assuming they’re my mother-in-law’s security.These Andretti men definitely go overboard when it comes to their women, I see.
When we step inside the boutique, I see she’s already here and has two of her own guards with her.
“Hi,” I say to her, leaning in for a hug, while giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Hello, darling. How are you?” she asks, hugging and kissing my cheek as well before she turns to Giana. “Hello, Giana.”
“I’m doing well. How are you?”
“Hi, Mrs. Andretti,” Giana greets.
“Like I said before, call me Lucia,” she says to Giana, who nods before she turns back to me. “I’m doing well, too. I’ve been so excited for this shopping trip. It feels like I haven’t left the house in ages. That man has been keeping me locked up.”
I laugh at the pout in her voice. “I know exactly how you feel.”
“These Andretti men are something else,” she huffs.
“I know. But we can’t blame them for wanting to keep us safe,” I tell her, trying to be the voice of reason here.
“I know. I know. After all these years, I should be used to it already, but that man just gets on my damn nerves sometimes.”
“Again, I know exactly how you feel,” I laugh. An attendant brings over two glasses of champagne for her and Giana, while I get a glass of sparkling water. We all get snacks, too, and then we walk around the store looking at the clothes while we continue chatting.
“How has the pregnancy been going? Do you need anything?” Lucia asks.
“It’s been going well. No. I don’t need anything as of now. Enzo has been a huge help with keeping me calm while also dealing with the mood swings. Though I am ready to get this baby out of me already,” I chuckle.
“Yeah. When you get to this stage, that’s all you want, and nothing else will suffice. Leonardo and I can’t wait to meet our granddaughter.”
“I’m sure she can’t wait to meet her favorite grandparents,” I tell her, a genuine smile on my face as hers lights up at my words. Did I mention I freaking love this lady?
She comes over at least twice a week, sometimes more, when Enzo is at work, just to sit with me, or sometimes we fidget and arrange or rearrange things in the nursery. Plus, every time she comes over, she always brings gifts for either the baby or me. This baby is already so spoiled, and she isn’t even here yet.
We spend some time shopping, the guys putting our bags in the SUVs, and when we’re done, we head to Luigi’s Steakhouse for an early dinner. It turns out to be a good few hours away from the house, and it’s exactly what I needed to get rid of some of that grumpiness I was feeling lately.
When we leave the restaurant, I give her a hug, and she promises to see me soon. I see our SUV is already here, idlingat the curb, waiting. Bruno gets into the driver’s seat, while Umberto gets into the passenger’s side with Giana and I get into the back.
