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did
that talk show. I stand behind everything Apolo is doing to try to bring you
under control.”
    “Well, I’m not wearing
either of those dresses. I’ll wear my Vera Wang. End of subject.”
    “No, you won’t, Mother. That dress is over the top, and you know it. Now,
either choose one of the two, or stay in your room during the ceremony and
reception. Your choice.”
    “Izzie? Are you going to sit there and let your
best friend talk to her mother this way?”
    Izzie e yed her carefully. “Not being disrespectful, Susan, but
yes. Yes, I am. I back whatever means Apolo had to take to silence you. This is
Caitlyn’s day, not yours. Now, behave like a mother of a bride and not some
reality show trailer trash.”
    Mother stood th ere, speechless for a moment. A moment that was too short. “Izzie? Not you, too?”
    “Yes,
me too, Susan. Now, I suggest you suck it up, shut up, and make some vain attempt to enjoy the
day as a secondary player. I know it’ll be hard, but somehow I know you h ave it in you.”
    “Well—!”
    “And if you don’t,
I’ll help Apolo lock you in that bedroom myself. You’ve caused enough damage as
it is. I’ll not see you ruin my bestie’s most important day.”
    Exasperated, Mother
glanced from me to Izzie and back before storming out
of the room. Again, the door slammed behind her.
    “Sorry,
Caitlyn. I had to do that. She was out of control. Besides, it’s your day, not hers.”
    “No need to apologize,
Iz. She had it coming. I suppose when we finish here, we should start getting
ready. We have about two hours. I thought we could
use the master bedroom.”
    “Where’d you run him
off to?”
    “He volunteered
actually. He’s put his stuff in a guest room. You know men—they don’t need as
much space.”
    “Is Anthony helping
him out, or is his brother bei ng best man all for
show?”
    “Like my mother, it’s
what he can get out of this event to benefit himself. I think Anthony’s a
little put out because Apolo chose not to use his restaurant or let him cater
the reception.”
    “But I’m sure, like
your mother, he’ll make sure he gets his name
mentioned at every turn.”
    “You’re learning,
Izzie.” I laughed. Amazing, since I’d been under such stress.
    “Come on. Why don’t we
grab a plate and some coffee and head to your room?”
    “Yes, we should. It’ll
give us some privacy, an d I won’t be rushed.”
    We both fixed a plate
of food and grabbed the cups of coffee we’d poured before my mother’s grand
entrance. Heading down the hall, I could hear her somewhere, speaking with some
poor, unsuspecting soul. I shook my head and continued t o the closed door.
    Izzie and I had no
more than sat down at a small table overlooking the back courtyard where the
reception would be held when someone knocked on the door. We looked at each
other, and I glanced at the clock.
    “It could be either
Lisa to do our hair, or Maria, for our makeup.”
    “I can’t believe you
have girls coming in to do our hair and makeup, Caitlyn. It’s so cool. I’ve
never had anyone do my makeup before.”
    “Well,” I replied as I
walked toward the door. “Enjoy it. You know how much of a p erfectionist Apolo is, so I figured this way we’d be set
for the photos and the day.”
    Eloise had arranged
for two stylists and two makeup artists. That way, one could attend to Izzie
and me, and the other could be on hand for our mothers. It was one decisi on I did not fuss about, as it helped me relax and not
stress about the small stuff.

 
     
     
    Chapter
Three
     
     
    Caitlyn
     
    I stood in front of
the mirror in awe. I had to fight back tears as I looked at the woman staring
back at me. This was it. The moment every woman
dreams of from the time she’s a little girl. I was a bride, marrying my prince
charming. And Apolo truly was a prince in every aspect of the word. He was a
God-send, my knight in shining armor, my hero. I was blessed, and I knew it.
Fate had brought us