Choice Matters (Southern Heat Book 1) (23 page)

“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
with 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