Choice Matters (Southern Heat Book 1)

by Jamie Salisbury

  “Do you want me to order you something to eat?”

  “No, thanks. I’ll be fine until we eat lunch.”

  Sometime later, we met Max Turner, in the Wesley Heights section of DC. An aggressive, young real estate agent, he knew Washington like the back of his hand and was known for his uncanny ability to match clients to properties. He didn’t disappoint with the third.

  The property was once again a penthouse. This time, however, it was eight thousand square feet on the top floor with floor to ceiling windows that beckoned with the most spectacular views. Far more room that we’d ever need or use, still, the size did not intimidate Apolo. We walked through the apartment together, commenting on the exquisite taste the current owner had.

  “Oh, my God, Apolo! This place is magnificent. Huge, but magnificent.”

  “The property comes either furnished or unfurnished,” Max announced as though he knew what we were thinking.

  “Everything?” I asked curiously. It was, after all, a loaded question, with a great many possibilities.

  “Right down to the sheets and towels, if so desired,” he coyly replied.

  Apolo, who had been ignoring us, fascinated by a painting that appeared to be by some old master, turned in my direction. “I like it, Caitlyn. It’s move-in ready. You wouldn’t have to fuss about a thing. You could take your time putting your touch on it.”

  “Well, if you like it. You’re sure you don’t want to look at a house or town home?”

  “No, this is it. If I decide to go beyond these two years, we can revisit that. No, the view is spectacular. Everything we need is here.”

  I shot Max a dumbfounded look. Though I don’t know why, I should be used to Apolo’s quirky ways by now. “You heard the man. He wants this place.”

  Quietly, I turned and left the room, leaving the two men to discuss the particulars of such a purchase. I needed to take it all in. The place wasn’t one hundred percent to my taste, but I could make do. And Apolo was right, I would slowly begin to add my own personal touches to each of the rooms and make it into our place. In two years, if he decided he wanted to run for reelection, we could discuss perhaps purchasing a house. But for now, this would do.

  Wow! So much was happening, it almost made my head spin. But that was Apolo…full steam ahead. The next thing I know he’ll want to discuss us getting married. Ha! He has to ask me first, though. This is quicker than I wanted, but I understand the mechanics of Washington. Us living together would not wash with the older, more established set here. Even in the twenty-first century. Not that I mind, not really.

  “Everything okay?” I heard his deep voice behind me.

  “Yes, of course. Why?”

  “You just had a far-away look in your eyes, that’s all.”

  “If I did, it’s because there is a lot to take in, Mr. Choice. When you make up your mind to do something, you’re full steam ahead. It can throw a girl off balance.”

  “Really? I would have thought nothing would throw you off balance, Caitlyn. Anyway, Max is going to stop by with the papers after a while so I can sign them and we can put our offer in.”

  “You’re sure you’ll be happy here?”

  He sighed. “Yes, Caitlyn, I’m sure. Are we going to resort to those sort of couple games now?”

  “What games, Choice? I love the place. I just wanted to make sure. After all, it’s a lot of money, and it’s you spending it.”

  “The money is the least of my worries. It’s your happiness I want to be sure of.”

  “Well, worry no more.”

  “Then, if you’re ready, I suppose we ought to be going. I’d like to spend some quiet time alone with you.”

  “There you go, then. All in a day’s work, huh?”

  “Nothing is work where you are concerned Caitlyn.”

  I felt his lean body pressed against me from behind. Knowing Apolo as well as I did, it would be a fair guess he had a massive erection. The man loved sex. It seemed all I had to do was speak, and he was aroused. I entwined my hands in his and turned to face him. “I suppose we don’t have time to grab lunch before young Mr. Max meets back up with us, do we?”

  “That’s not what I had in mind, but yes, we have plenty of time to stop somewhere for lunch.”

  “Good, because if you remember, I nixed breakfast this morning.”

  “That’s right. I remember now,” he loftily replied. “Let’s go. I know of a little café not too far from here. We don’t want the press saying you’re too thin, now do we?”

  “I thought you didn’t care what the press had to say, Choice?”

  “I don’t when it’s me they’re talking about. You, you’re another matter entirely, my love.”

  Somehow, I believed him, too. I was sure I would see that protective side of Apolo come out of the shadows more and more.

  * * * *

  The café was a small out-of-the-way place. Somewhere I could imagine we might come in the future. Once we moved here. I saw it as being perfect. Perfect for those quick getaways like this. The décor reminded me of places I had eaten at in Paris.

  We were quickly seated at a secluded table. I began to order a salad, but quickly changed it to something more substantial when I noticed Apolo’s eyebrow raised in disapproval. Instead, I took his lead and ordered a half sandwich and a bowl of soup.

  “Well,” he began. “We have a place to live. With any luck, we should be able to move in around the same time we return.”

  “I really like it, Apolo. A bit on the large size, but I’ll get used to it. Perfect for entertaining.”

  “Yes, it is, isn’t it?”

  “Hmmm, with that view of the Washington skyline, it will be perfect at night.”

  Then, blunt as usual, Apolo brought up the marriage subject. “Not to change the subject, but it is all intertwined. I guess we need to begin making marriage plans, don’t we?”

  I glanced across the table at him, just as the waiter brought our soup and sandwiches. I waited until the young man left. “Yes, we better. Unless you want my mother doing the planning for us. What do you have in mind, Apolo? I know you well enough to know you have an idea of how you want this played out.”

  “Caitlyn, I will submit to whatever you decide. I’ll leave the planning to you.”

  “Hmmmph, somehow I don’t see that happening. I envision what you have in the back of your mind is something elaborate. Ever the politician, Apolo. You’ll want the world to be part of our special day.”

  “I get the feeling you don’t share my enthusiasm, sweet. Care to expand?”

  “For starters, you haven’t even asked me. You simply assume I’ll marry you.”

  “Ask you? I didn’t think you were that old-fashioned.”

  “I believe I might have mentioned once I expected to be proposed to properly.”

  He put his soupspoon down and patted his lips with a cloth napkin. “Ah yes, you did.” He winked at me. “That detail aside, what would you like to do?”

  “A very important detail, Apolo.”

  “Yes, Caitlyn, I get your point.”

  “I want the whole enchilada. I want the formal wedding. But, I only wish our families to be invited. No press. Perhaps a few close friends, like Izzie and perhaps Renee. After that a reception, which we will both plan, and you can invite whoever you wish. The Queen of England would be welcome, but the wedding is private.”

  “Done.”

  I stared at him for a brief second. “Done? You mean I can…”

  “Whatever you want Caitlyn, as long as we do it in Atlanta before we return to Washington. That officially gives you two months to pull together not only a private wedding, but the biggest bash the state of Georgia has ever seen. Can you do it?”

  Inside, I was secretly terrified by what I had proposed and what he had agreed to, but never, ever would I let him know that. “Of course I can, Choice. We’re going to have a wedding reception the likes of which no one has ever seen. Just don’t forget what I said about th
e proposal.”

  “I shall enjoy that to the fullest.”

  “What about a budget? I need to know what my boundaries are, or should I say, my mother needs to know.”

  “Hopefully, she will be with your father in Ireland for most of the planning. As for budget, you have free rein, my love. Whatever you want. Just don’t let your mother know that little fact.”

  “No, that’ll be our little secret. However, once she learns you have proposed, and we’re planning our wedding for before we move here, she will be on the first plane back to Atlanta.”

  He chuckled. “I have no doubt she will. If she even goes to Ireland at all.”

  I put my sandwich back down on my plate. He was right. She’d never leave for Ireland once she heard the news. I was going to have to suck it up and deal with her and her ways. “She won’t leave. The second she hears, she’ll be off planning on her own.” A thought crossed my mind that might save both me and Apolo a lot of grief where my mother was concerned. “Apolo, would you mind if I hired a wedding planner? Someone to take care of the details and oversee stuff?”

  “‘Stuff,’ meaning your mother?” He grinned. “I think that’s a marvelous idea. It will free you up for more important things. Let someone else worry about the details. Do you have someone in mind?”

  “No, but I’m sure Renee can help me find some to interview post haste.”

  “I’m sure she can. In fact, why don’t you give her a call? Just ask her to discreetly line up three or four for when we return.”

  “Perfect! Now, I think I’ll be able to enjoy the planning a lot better, knowing my mother will be stifled at her attempts to take over the event.”

  “Glad I was of some assistance, my dear. If you’re ready, I think we need to get back to the hotel.”

  “Yes, I’m ready. Oh, do me one favor tonight?”

  “What might that be?”

  “Let’s not tell my parents about the wedding just yet? I want my mother to be in Ireland when she hears the news. Besides, Choice, you haven’t proposed.”

  We arrived back at our hotel suite with time enough for me to make that call to Renee about finding a wedding planner on such short notice. Renee, however, did bring up a good point—that they would be crawling all over each other once they knew who the client was. She assured me she would set the meetings up beginning in two days, giving me time to get home to Atlanta and organize myself. She was excited about her boss getting married at long last.

  While I was in the bedroom talking with Renee, Apolo was in the midst of paperwork with Max for the condo. I was quite sure we would find ourselves the proud owners sooner than most couples. Apolo’s name could move mountains.

  Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, I made a mental note that my mother should be calling. I was sure she would want to do something with us this evening. Her last evening before she and my father left for Dublin. Though I should feel bad for having to be deceptive about our wedding plans, I really didn’t.

  I stood up from the bed, padded over to the door, and listened. Not hearing any conversation coming from the other side, I opened it. I walked into the salon, only to find Apolo sitting in a chair, laptop on the table in front of him. He didn’t hear me, deeply involved in whatever it was he was typing.

  “So, did you and Max get everything taken care of?”

  He glanced up. “Yes, and you? Is Renee going to get some wedding planners lined up for you when we get back?”

  “She is, and she’s excited, too.”

  “Hmmm, well, she’s a woman. I would think she would be. You women all love weddings.” I saw a glimpse of a smile cross his lips, as he didn’t look up from his computer screen this time.

  I wondered what it was that was so damn important. “Yes, we do, as you’re about to find out.”

  He quickly closed the lid on his laptop, which made me all the more curious about what he was up to. “Well, I can’t wait.”

  I sat down across from him. “I was thinking, Apolo, would you mind terribly if we also did not mention that we found a place to purchase tonight? Knowing my mother, it will be another excuse for her to stay. She’d want to see it and put her seal of approval on it before she left.”

  “No, not at all. Just let me make a mental note to myself of what not to mention in front of your mother this evening.” He chuckled. “No mention of our new home or the wedding. Gotcha!”

  “You know, Choice, you can be a real smart ass when you want to be. But I love you in spite of that.”

  “It’s one of my more endearing qualities, don’t you think?” he smugly inquired.

  “Oh yes, though some people who don’t know you might not care for it.”

  “But you know I don’t care what anyone thinks. You’re the only exception to that rule, Caitlyn.”

  “I know. I feel honored.” I snorted, trying my best to be serious with him. He was in a quirky mood.

  “Well, I must say, today has been a productive one, don’t you think? We’ve purchased a home and decided on how to proceed with planning a wedding. And the day isn’t even over!”

  My cell phone vibrated on the table where I had laid it earlier. I picked it up, knowing exactly who it was. “My mother would like to know what time are we going to dinner and where. She needs to know how to dress.” I shook my head, thinking of her.

  Apolo rattled off the name of the restaurant, along with the time and address. I repeated them to my mother. I sat and listened to her go on about what she was going to wear and did I think she would be too over-dressed. I rolled my eyes in Apolo’s direction.

  “Tell her my parents are joining us.”

  I know I had to have had a shocked look on my face. He just grinned. My mother, upon hearing that news, concluded she needed to go out and purchase something entirely new for dinner and all but hung up on me.

  “I would have told you sooner, but I just now got everything worked out. I figured this would be the only chance we’d probably have before the wedding to have them meet.”

  I nodded. “Yes, you’re right. There may not be another opportunity. I was just hoping that the first time I met your parents it would be just you and me. You know how my mother is—she’ll take over the entire conversation tonight, and your mother and I won’t get a chance to get to know each other.”

  He laughed, putting his hand over mine. “Would it help if I told you I invited them for drinks before dinner? They’ll be here about an hour before we have to leave.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered. While I was nervous about meeting his parents, the fear subsided, knowing I’d have time with them before the spectacle that was my mother arrived.

  “Okay then. Everything’s set.” He glanced at his watch. “I think we should probably think about getting ready since I shortened our pre-dinner time.” He chuckled. Right then, I decided he was going to make a formidable son-in-law. He and my father already had a mutual understanding about things in my family.

  I was putting on my heels a short time later when I heard the sound of voices coming from the main salon. Apolo’s parents. Deep breath.

  I went over to the mirror one final time. I had chosen a sapphire-colored dress to wear. Again, it was simple, elegant. The one thing I had learned was that less was more. At least right now. Perhaps later, once I got my wardrobe built up for all these functions I knew we would have to attend, I might try something with a more bold look, but this was perfect. Deciding there was nothing further I could improve on, I walked out to greet my future in-laws.

  Apolo was standing in the salon talking with his parents. They turned in my direction as I entered. Immediately I felt calm.

  “Mother, Dad, I would like you to meet Caitlyn. Caitlyn, this is my father, Robert, and my mother, Helen.”

  Everything fell into place. We greeted each other before Apolo asked what everyone would like to drink.

  “I’ll have my usual martini, Apolo, and save the wine for the restaurant,” Helen replied. She was an elega
nt woman, still thin, with stunning grey hair. I could see where Apolo got his eyes. “You do remember how I like them, don’t you?”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  While he and his father were busy at the bar, Helen and I sat down. Though I wasn’t sure where to begin, Helen picked up as though we’d known each other for ages.

  “I do apologize for being so scarce. I don’t want you to think we’re rude. It’s just that this flight back from New Zealand really wore us out. Usually, we make a point of breaking up long trips like this. But we wanted to make sure we were here in time for the swearing in.”

  “That’s quite all right,” I replied, smiling at her. “You were here for the most important event. That’s all that matters. We’ll have plenty of other times to get to know each other.”

  I glanced in Apolo’s direction, wondering if he’d overheard our discussion or not. I knew his mother and I would be fine. He and Robert brought our drinks and sat down with us.

  “I hate to bring up a touchy subject, but have either of you seen Anthony?” Apolo asked. “I saw him briefly at my swearing in, but I haven’t seen or heard a word out of him since.”

  His parents glanced at each other briefly before Robert spoke up. “We were going to ask the same thing. I know you put him up at the Hyatt, but we haven’t seen or heard from him, either.”

  “I suppose I could have Jacob go to the hotel and make sure everything’s okay.”

  “If you don’t mind, Apolo,” his mother replied. “I’m sure everything is fine. You know your brother can be odd at times. One would think, with his brother now a senator, that he would want to be included in everything.”

  “Well, he was given an itinerary of all the planned functions. Personal and political, so he has no excuse.” Apolo sat back in his chair, a hint of displeasure in his tone.

  “How do you think your brother’s doing, Apolo? Be honest, now. We rarely hear from him outside of family functions, and if I question him about anything at all, he’s quite vague in his answers.”