20. Avani
I had a date night with my fiancé, and I was nervous as hell.
Akari had sent a makeup artist and a hairstylist to do my makeup.
Since my hair was already done, the hairstylist was just going to touch it up.
I had been on a lot of dates with Akari, but this was my first one as his fiancée.
I didn't know what he had planned, but I looked forward to it.
He knew I was a simple girl, so he probably would do something simple, but hell, one time, he took me all the way to Cali.
Something I hadn't expected. I knew I was looking forward to this date he planned.
"You are beautiful, girl. He's not going to know what hit him," Laisley complimented me.
I smiled a bit. "Thanks, sis. I'm nervous as if I never went out with this man before."
She laughed. "Only as his girlfriend. Now you are his fiancée, about to be his wife. The media had a field day with the news."
I groaned. "Right. They were acting like they had never seen someone get engaged before. I know Akari and I are the hottest couple around right now, but they need to find something else to talk about."
"Yes! Y'all are sexy as hell together. The photo shoot was amazing."
I beamed happily. "Yeah, I loved the pictures we took together."
Since the engagement, Akari and I had been the biggest things popping around Skyeville.
It was all everyone could talk about. I didn't know how to feel about that, but it was nothing I could change.
Also, we were asked to take a photo shoot as the newest couple for the Skyeville Rayvins, so we did that.
I got so many hate messages that I had to roll with it.
Somehow, I developed tough skin, and I be damned if I let anyone stop Akari and me from being together again.
"Damn, you're beautiful," he complimented me.
I grinned. "Thank you. You look handsome, too."
And my man did. Akari matched my fly, wearing my favorite colors, yellow, gray, and white. He looked good as hell in his button-down shirt with a tie. He had gotten a haircut, too, bringing out his facial expression more against his light complexion.
He chuckled. "Is this too much?" he asked, knowing damn well it was.
Akari had me on top of the roof at a hotel resort in Cali for a candlelight dinner. He'd hired musicians to come play music for us as we ate. Let's not forget that he had a menu waiting with a four-course meal. This man knew how to do it up, and I loved that for me.
"Since you said that, I'm going to act like I didn't hear it." I reached for my wine glass and took a sip of it before I placed it back down.
He laughed. "Yeah, do that for me. I just wanted to do something special for you."
I waved that off. "Listen, I'm not complaining at all. This is huge, but I am grateful. This means a lot to me, just as you do, Kari. I'd never say something is too much again since I know what type of person you are. I am a lucky woman to have a man like you in my life."
He lifted the corner of his mouth and dropped his head.
"Wait? Are you blushing?"
He laughed loudly. "Man, cut it out. You sure have a way with words, and I appreciate everything you say to me. I love you."
"I love you more, Akari. Now, to see what we want to eat." I picked up the menu. "A lobster tail. Check."
He burst out laughing as I checked off everything I wanted to eat. "You are great."
I laughed. "I am not, but I am hungry. I hadn't eaten since breakfast. My appetite has disappeared for some reason, but now I am going in on the food since I'm hungry."
"Have at it, baby. You can eat as much as you like. Just know you'll be working it off later."
I stuck my tongue out. "I look forward to it."
We were talking about pretty much everything as we waited for our food.
"Do you want a long wedding or a short one?" he asked.
"Short. There is no need to wait when we already know what we want. I just want our families there."
He nodded. "That can be arranged. How soon?"
"After finals."
Skyeville Rayvins were going to finals. My baby and his team took them there. I was so proud of him and knew we had a lot of traveling to do. I was ready for it all. With him by my side, I was ready for any and everything.