“Okay, Apolo out of our hair, let’s talk wedding planners, Izzie. I think it is safe to say that number three is most certainly a no. Don’t you agree?”
“One hundred percent. You don’t have to convince me.”
A waiter approached our table for our drink order. “I think this calls for a glass of wine. We’ve earned it.” I ordered us each a one before turning to my menu. “Why don’t we go ahead and order now? You know what you want? My treat.”
“I think I’ll have the grilled salmon,” Izzie replied. Skimming the selections one last time, I decided on the same.
“Okay, what did you think of the first planner, Iz? I really liked her ideas. Plus, she was quite open to my ideas and not pushy.”
“True, but can she handle your mother?”
“Can anyone handle my mother? What I’m hoping is to have everything worked out before she gets back here. That way she can’t go changing a thing.”
“The second planner had too many far out ideas and didn’t seem very receptive to only a small party.”
“That’s what I came away with. The reception afterward is going to be obscene enough as it. You know, by the time the place is decorated, the cake, booze, food and flowers…it’ll all be more than enough to handle. Plus, I want something more traditional and toned down. I mean with Apolo now a senator, I don’t need far out stuff.”
“Although, could you imagine your mother’s face if you chose some of the things that third planner had in mind?” Izzie snorted at the idea.
“Well, I don’t need that, because along with her contorted face comes her attitude.”
“True. She’s going to be miffed enough for not being included in all this.”
“Well, she needs to get a grip,” I replied as I paused for the waiter to deposit our wine glasses on the table. “This is Apolo’s and my wedding, not hers. I don’t care if she does spew about my being her only daughter. She doesn’t know when to stop.”
“I know. I know. Your mother is one of a kind. Say, has Apolo even dropped a hint about proposing? I know you said you suspected something in Washington. Anything since then?”
“No, nothing. He needs to hurry it up. The wedding will be here before you know it, and I meant what I told him Izzie. If he wants to marry me, he has to propose.”
“Come on, Caitlyn. Surely you won’t back out just because he doesn’t propose?”
“No proposal, no wedding, Izzie. If I haven’t made that clear enough to him, I don’t know how else to. Postponing would be a last resort.”
“He’ll come through. Don’t you worry. I have faith in Apolo. However he’s going to do it, it’s going to be unique.”
“Well, he’d better get with it. Anyway, let’s get back to these two wedding planners. Or should I say one. I believe we’ve decided. I’ll put in a call later this afternoon. I don’t want to call too soon. Let them all stew a bit.”
“That’s my girl. We know all three of them are chomping at the bit, so to speak, for a chance to do this wedding and reception.”
“Yes, they are. It would be a real plus for their careers. Anyway, I’m going to check in with Renee when we finish here then I thought we could go look at wedding dresses, if you’re up to it.”
“Hey if you are, I most certainly am!”
* * * *
Izzie was right about the proposal. Apolo certainly went over the top to do the one thing I had asked of him. But that’s Apolo. He never does anything like the average Joe, which is one of the things I love about him. I never saw it coming, which meant in Apolo’s book, he had accomplished what he had set out to do—surprise me.
Apolo had feigned wanting to spend a weekend down at his cabin a couple of weeks after Izzie and I had met the wedding planners. We hadn’t been since the last time. He said he wanted for us to relax one last time before the madness of the wedding and our move to Washington were upon us. I had to agree. Things had gotten hectic since our return.
I, for one, wanted the opportunity for the get-away, since my mother had returned. She had heard all about the wedding. She had arrived armed and full of her own ideas. I purposefully put my phone on vibrate so I wouldn’t have to take her calls, or I could at least screen them. She would quickly get the hint that Apolo and I were out of town and unreachable.
We packed his SUV one Thursday afternoon, four hours ahead of my mother’s scheduled arrival at the house. We spent the time on the road just enjoying each other’s company. We chatted about nothing in particular, enjoying the scenery and good weather. I loved to see Apolo relax. It wasn’t often he got the opportunity. Our move to Washington meant there would be fewer and fewer opportunities for these simple pleasures.
Having fallen asleep on the ride, I woke to Apolo gently shaking me as he pulled in front of the gate leading to the cabin. “We’re here, sleepyhead.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that to you, Apolo.”
“That’s quite all right. You’re allowed. That’s what this weekend is for. Relaxing.” He pulled in front of the cabin and shut off the engine. Unfolding his lean frame, he walked to the back of the vehicle to begin unloading our stuff. I opened the door and joined him.
I noted a particular smugness about him as he put his key into the front door lock. I blew it off as typical Apolo. He opened the door and motioned for me to go inside. I passed in front of him, noting to myself that the smugness was still on his face, though he was attempting to hide it. Alpha male, no doubt about it.
It was dark inside. All the drapes were pulled, keeping any daylight out. He entered and shut the door behind him. Then, he flipped one of the main switches that lit up one of the ceiling lights to the living room. When he did…
Inside, there were roses in all imaginable colors on every table in the room. It looked like a rose garden. There were white candles scattered everywhere, though none were lit. I looked around in awe.
“This is beautiful! What’s the occasion?” I asked, dumbfounded.
“No occasion, other than I wanted to surprise my favorite girl one last time before the madness begins. Go on, keep walking through the place. I’m sure you’ll find this isn’t all there is.”
I smiled at him and turned toward the bedroom. At the threshold, I noted rose pedals scattered on the floor. The room once again had roses everywhere. This time all in red. Again with the white candles. It was all almost more than I could comprehend. As I neared the bed, I noted a bottle of champagne in ice.
“Like it?” I heard him ask.
“Yes. Very much so,” I replied, walking back to him. He was standing there, leaning against the doorframe. I wrapped my arms around his waist. “So, is the champagne for now or later?”
“Most definitely for now.” He leaned down and kissed me softly before moving over to the waiting champagne. He picked the bottle up out of the ice and began to uncork it.
I sat down on the edge of the bed and watched him. “I’m not even going to ask how you did this. But thank you.”
“Oh, this isn’t all there is, Caitlyn. Trust me.” The cork blew out with a familiar pop as it left the bottle, and he poured us each a flute. He handed me one, picking up the other in his free hand. “To us, Caitlyn. I love you more than any woman I’ve ever met, and I will treasure our life together.”
He was sitting next to me, our thighs touching and then some. He paused and took a sip of his champagne. I began to do the same, and for some odd reason, I looked down. Something in the glass caught my eye. I took a sip, deciding to play coy for a moment longer. Then, I picked the flute up and saw on the bottom the largest, most exquisite diamond ring ever. I glanced over at Apolo. Our eyes locked.
“You need to finish your champagne, sweet.”
“Apolo, what have you done?”
“Done? What have I done? Only what you required of me, Caitlyn. Now please, hurry and finish your champagne. I have something I wish to ask you.”
I carefully gulped down the rest and pulled the ring out wit
h my fingers. It was a magnificent, huge, canary diamond with smaller ones surrounding it. Set in platinum, I assumed.
Apolo promptly took it, as well as the glass, from me. He got off the bed and down on his knees. He had the ring in one hand, taking my left one with his other. “Caitlyn White, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” He looked up at me, poised to put the band on the intended finger.
“Yes!” I replied. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He slid the gargantuan ring into place. “Beautiful. Just like I knew it would be on you.” He stood up, bent over, and kissed me with such passion I thought for sure I would lose my breath. “Thank you, Caitlyn. You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”
“Thank you, Apolo, for making this moment so special.”
And so he’d proposed as I requested. We had the most memorable time that weekend. As usual, he didn’t fail me. It was all unique and Apolo. I could go on and tell you all about it, but that’s really between the two of us.
Now we had a wedding and reception to hold. Not to mention moving to Washington and the beginning our lives together as husband and wife.
*The End*
About the Author
In the three short years since Jamie Salisbury began publishing her Romance stories, she has seen her books soar to #1 on Amazon. Her novel, Life and Lies was nominated for a 2014 RONE in the Erotica category.
Her previous career in public relations has afforded her with a treasure trove of endless story ideas. In her spare time she loves to travel.
Author's Website: http://www.jamiesalisbury.com
Other books by Secret Cravings Publishing
Rockin' the Boss
Life and Lies
Where Love Takes Us
The Heart Knows
Love Will Find A Way
Secret Cravings Publishing
www.secretcravingspublishing.com
Choice Matters (Southern Heat Book 1) Page 17
