Choice Matters (Southern Heat Book 1) (22 page)

To my surprise, she readily agreed, stating we both needed
one last getaway before I started my new job. She said we might not have such
an opportunity for quite a while. And she asked me if I would show her how to
fish while we were there. Said she wanted to see what all the fuss was about,
how people could claim it to be so relaxing

Oh baby, just you wait.

Chapter Nine

Caitlyn

And so we returned to Atlanta to begin preparing not only
for our move to Washington, but for our wedding. Mother had gone on to Ireland
with my father, none the wiser. Some might find that deceptive, but she would
more than make up for lost time once she heard all the news.

First and foremost, I had to tell
Izzie
everything that had transpired during our trip. Her work schedule made it hard,
but I insisted she make herself available the second night for dinner, just the
two of us. That gave me a day to relax and at least check in with Renee and see
what she had lined up in the way of wedding planners.

“My goodness, Caitlyn, why all the rush and secrecy?”
Izzie
asked as I poured her a glass of wine. I had made
dinner for the two of us. That way we could discuss things without being interrupted.

“Well for starters,
Apolo
and I
found a place in Washington, and he’s made an offer. Second, he wants to get
married before we move. I have Renee lining up appointments with wedding
planners as we speak.”

“Wow! But why pay a wedding planner when you have your
mother?” She cackled.

“Because number one, I don’t want Mother involved until
later. Like after all the key decisions have been made. And second, she’s in
Ireland with my father.”

“So, how did he propose?”

I took a swallow of my wine and set the glass down on the
table in front of me. “He hasn’t. I’ve dropped all the hints I know how. I told
him he had to propose, but so far…nothing.”

“Oh, I’m sure he’s planning something. It’ll be off the
charts and completely unexpected. You wait and see.”

“I don’t know,
Izzie
. I’m afraid
he’s just going to let things happen, knowing I wouldn’t back out on him at the
last minute.”

“No, he’s planning something. He loves you too much.
Everything the man does is over the top.”

“I suppose you’re right. In fact, I know you’re right. When
we were in Washington, the night before we left, he was on his laptop all smug-like.
When I got close, he slammed the lid down on his computer as though he didn’t
want me to see what he was doing.”

“See? By the way, how are wedding planners coming along?”

“Renee has three lined up for me to interview tomorrow. Care
to come and help me decide? Because I really want you to help me plan this
thing,
Izzie
. In fact, I want you to stand up with
me.”

“Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.”

“Good, because I have a feeling it’s going to be a wild
ride.”

“But that’s
Apolo
, something I
might add, I believe you love about the man.”

“Yes, I do, but sometimes he can be so intense.”

“I’m sure he’ll lighten up once you’re married and moved. It’s
a huge step he’s taking.”

“I know, and I’m excited for him. He’s getting to work on
some issues that mean a great deal to him. Like people with disabilities. He
wants me to help him on that one.”

I caught my friend blinking back tears. This wasn’t like
her. No matter what,
Izzie
was tough and unflappable.
“Geez, Caitlyn. I’m going to miss you.”

“It’s not going to be good-bye,
Iz
.
Besides, why couldn’t you move to Washington?”

“What? Who would keep things shook up here in Atlanta with
you and
Apolo
gone?”

“I think Atlanta would manage just fine. Think about it.”

“I will. I promise. Perhaps after you two move up there and
get settled in, I can come visit and seriously look at jobs.”

“Deal.”

“So, back to this wedding planning thing. What exactly are
you thinking?”
Izzie
asked, taking a sip of her wine.

“The wedding itself is going to be for family and a few
close friends only. It will be the reception where we go all out.”

“Have you thought where you want to have the wedding itself?”

“I was seriously thinking, since it’s going to be so small,
of doing it at
Apolo’s
house.”

“You mean mansion, don’t you?” She laughed.

“Yeah, mansion. In fact, you need to come with me and look.
The staircase would make for such a dramatic entrance—me coming down the grand
staircase to my waiting groom.” I giggled and placed my wine glass back on the
table. “We’ll stop by there before we go to meet the wedding planners.”

“This is so exciting, Caitlyn. I can’t believe this is
actually happening!”

“Well, calm down,
Izzie
. We haven’t
even started the planning, yet.
Apolo
and I have
agreed on two dates. Hopefully, whichever planner I go with will be able to
accommodate us.”

* * * *

I was surprised to find
Apolo
still at home the following morning. I had mentioned to him that
Izzie
and I were going to stop by to look around and why.
He met us at the front door, dressed in jeans.

“Good morning, ladies,” he greeted us as he leaned in to
kiss me when I passed by him. “I thought I would work from home this morning.”

“Probably not a bad idea,
Apolo
,”
Izzie
replied. “Saves you from all the questions now that
it’s public knowledge you and Caitlyn here are getting married.”

“True,
Izzie
, but my employees
know not to question me. And where are you ladies meeting these wedding
planners?”

“Renee booked a small room at that restaurant near your
office. It’s private, and we won’t have all the outside interference of meeting
here or at my place.” I said as I hurried toward the staircase. “So, what do
you think,
Iz
? Think this will make the right
statement?”

Izzie
looked up in awe. It was one
of those grand staircases you found only in such movies as “Gone with the Wind.”
Or if you were really lucky, you were rich and could afford a place with one.
She turned and took in the huge entryway and gallery. Then, she began her way
up the stairs, taking each one in as she went. When she got to the top, she
turned and stopped. Looking down at
Apolo
and me, she
began to descend the stairs, one at a time.

“I think she approves,”
Apolo
whispered to me.

“Yes, I think she does. Do you?”

“Absolutely. I’ve noticed you walk down these stairs before.
Don’t think I haven’t. You’ll be a beautiful bride, making a grand entrance.”

A sudden thought came to mind. “
Apolo
,
how would you feel about having the reception here at the house?”

“Whatever you want, my love. You know that. What have you
got in mind?”

“
Izzie
, you look like you belong
here.” I hollered up at my friend as she finished. “As for what I have in mind,
that’s a secret for right now. But trust me, you’ll love it.”

“I have no doubt, I will,” he replied, grinning at me rather
than
Izzie
, who was now walking toward us.

“What are you two talking about?”

“Nothing other than how
Apolo
agrees with us on having the wedding and the reception here.”

“Reception here?”
Izzie
looked
confused.

“Don’t ask me. I’m just along for the ride.”
Apolo
shrugged.

“Trust me. I have an idea. Let me go with it. I’ll speak to
the planners about it first. Get their reaction.”

“I told you, Caitlyn, you have free rein with our wedding.”

“I know,” I replied, grinning at him. “We’d better be going,
right
Iz
?”

“Yep, let’s make these wedding planners earn their big fees.”

“You two sure you won’t stay and visit for a while?”

“No, we really do need to go. I just wanted
Izzie
to see the staircase.” I leaned over and kissed him
on the cheek. “Call me later if you need me to come in today. If you don’t, I’m
not coming in.”

“Enjoy your day, and I’ll call you later about dinner.” He pecked
me on the lips and reluctantly led us to the front door.

“Later,
Apolo
. Love your place by
the way. Next time I expect the grand tour.”
Izzie
smirked
as she walked past him.

We drove on in silence towards our next appointment. Then,
Izzie
suddenly burst out laughing hysterically.

“What is so funny?”

“Oh, the look on his face. I don’t think the reality of this
wedding thing hit him until now.”

“No, I don’t agree. He knows I wanted to do at least the
wedding at the house.”

“Yeah, but have you discussed it like we were?”

“No, oh, I see what you’re saying. Until this morning, it
was simply something he was to show up at. We made it more real by talking
holding the reception there, too. Am I close?”

“Yep. This is going to be fun,
Cait
!
I love to see him squirm.”

“You’re bad,
Izzie
, you know it?”

“Yep. I think Mr. Choice needs a little excitement in his
life.”

“Well, he’s got plenty of that going on right now.” I pulled
into the small parking lot. “But I have to agree with you. He needs all the
excitement we can give him. I don’t want him thinking he’s marrying some meek,
mild-mannered young woman.”

We walked into the building. Renee was pacing back and
forth.

“Are we late?” I inquired, knowing full well we weren’t, but
it was a way to put her mind at ease. “Or has wedding planner number one not
shown up?”

“No, you’re not late, and your first candidate is here.”

“Early, then?”

“Yes. I was afraid that the next one might do the same thing,
so I decided to wait out here.”

“Well, let’s go scope her out. Oh, Renee, you haven’t met my
friend,
Izzie
. My maid of honor.”

She smiled in
Izzie’s
direction. “Nice
to finally meet you,
Izzie
. I’m glad Caitlyn has
someone sane in her corner to help her through this.”

“I don’t know how sane I am Renee, but hopefully I can keep
her head from spinning off like a top.”

“I’m sure Mr. Choice would appreciate that.” I thought I saw
Renee crack a slight smile. Something she didn’t do very often. Everything in
her job surrounding
Apolo
, she took quite seriously.
Literally.

For approximately the next three hours,
Izzie
and I sat through presentation after presentation from the wedding planners.
Each had their own unique style and ideas.

Though I knew
Apolo
had given me
free rein to spend whatever I wanted, I decided it best not to let the planners
know that.
Izzie
had agreed with me. Therefore, I set
a spending limit. It was an obscene amount in my eyes. However, I had done some
research on weddings of the rich and famous and decided I could come in low
ball. The amount still brought them in wide-eyed.

Izzie
and I sat back and stared at
each other after the final wedding planner had left. Now, I would have to
decide, but I knew
Izzie
was as exhausted as I was.

“Can I interest you in lunch? Renee made an open reservation
for whenever we finished.”

“Yes, I’m famished after all that!” she exclaimed, standing
from the chair she had been seated in and stretching her long frame.

“Me, too. Let’s freshen up first. We’ll compare the three
while we eat.”

We were shown to an out-of-the-way table. Perfect for
conversation, away from the hustle and bustle of the restaurant. Placing my
phone down in front of me, I saw a text from
Apolo
.
He was inquiring over the selections Renee had made. Oh, and would I like to
meet him for lunch. I quickly answered, reminding him this was girl’s day.

“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.