“If I forget to tell you enough tonight, I love you,” I say and lean down to give her a soft kiss.
The camera clicks again, and Celeste tucks her chin shyly. “I love you too, Apollo.”
When we’re finished, I take her by the hand, and we walk into the grand ballroom. I’m having a hard time figuring out the theme and decide it’s just going to be “over the top.” There are tables to the sides with golden candelabras and a buffet nearby. Straight ahead is the dance floor with a DJ off to the side and a live band in the middle. The music is loud, but every single person in here seems to be having the time of their life.
“Welcome,” someone says, and I turn to see Emerson walking over just before he places a crown on my head. “Sorry, but we’re not doing the whole prom king and queen thing this year, so everyone is getting crowned.” Then he puts one on Celeste’s head and gives her a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t you love a good Mardi Gras party? Enjoy, you two. I’m off to crown our guests.”
“Oh, Mardi Gras,” I say as I look around, and it all makes sense.
“He’s really in his element,” Celeste says as we watch him walk around throwing beads. “Wanna take me for a spin around the room?”
“It would be my honor.” I take off our paper crows and place them on a table nearby. Then I pull her into my arms and lift her slightly off the floor.
“Apollo, I can walk.” She pretends to protest but wraps her arms around my neck.
“Why, when I’m right here to carry you?” She giggles as we move through the crowd, and the music turns slower. Well, slow compared to what it was before.
We might look silly swaying to the music when everyone else is jumping around, but I don’t care. All I want to do tonight is hold Celeste in my arms and then take her home and make love.
“You are worth every penny I spent on the auction,” she teases as she traces my cheek with her finger.
“You mean the money I gave you to buy me?” I lean down and nip at her ear.
“Of course.” She wiggles against me, and I groan.
“Stop that, or we’re leaving,” I warn, and she runs her fingers through my hair.
“We can make it through a couple of songs.” She pulls me back to look into my eyes. She must see the heat there because she licks her lips. “Okay, maybe one song.”
“It's your fault for looking so damn beautiful in this dress.” My hand slides below her waist, and I pull her against me so she can see just how much I like it.
“Apollo,” she says breathily, and her eyes close just a little.
“I’ll give you one song, then I’m taking you home.”
“I can live with that.” She tilts her head back, and I lean down, pressing my lips to hers.
We’re like that for a long moment, kissing softly and dancing slowly while the crowd around us fades away.
The past few months have been absolute bliss. Waking up with Celeste, going to bed together every night, it’s all a dream come true. We watch movies, study together, and I’ve even taken her out on one of my boats. It’s all the little things each day that add up to this perfect life ahead of us. I can’t wait for what next year will bring when we’re away at college together, but I’m so excited that we get to do it hand in hand.
“Take me home,” Celeste says as she moves against me.
“Are you sure?” I press my forehead to hers. “You know how much I want you, but I also know how long it took you to get ready and how much you love this dress.”
“Apollo.” She grabs the front of my tux and smiles at me. “The whole time I was putting this dress on, I was thinking about you taking it off of me.”
“Your wish is my command,” I say as I give her one more quick kiss and then take her by the hand.
It takes us a second to break through the crowd on the dance floor, but when we do, I start to walk towards the exit.
“I know one thing,” Celeste says as I call for our limo.
“What?”
“I’m more than ready to get out of these shoes.”
Before she realizes what I’m doing, I scoop her up in my arms. She squeals, and I spin her around. The sound of her laughter, the beautiful glow of the night, and the feeling of so many wonderful things ahead make my heart so full it feels like it could explode.
“I love you,” I say and kiss her like it’s the one thing I need to breathe.