Apollo and Val: #5.5 (Luna Lodge Book 0) by Madison Stevens Page B

her to think about. But it was even more difficult to think about telling Apollo. She worried that it would change everything. How could it not?
    Rachel patted her knee. “Maybe you should. It might be what’s at the root of all this.”
    Val stared at her for a moment. It made sense. The more she worried, the more her emotions would be off. It might even explain the strange dreams.
    She nodded. “Maybe you’re right.” She sighed. “I’ll tell him tonight on our date.”
    Rachel stood. “It’ll be fine. Have a little faith in him.”
    Val’s stomach flipped. It wasn’t his faith she questioned. Apollo would stand by her no matter what. That was the problem. Maybe it would be better if he just walked away. Or maybe she would have to find the strength to walk away.
    Val stood and rubbed her hands down her pants. The pattern on her jeans heated her sweaty palms.
    “I would like to do a blood draw before you leave,” Rachel said and opened the door to the hall. “Just as a precaution.”
    Val swallowed. Of course she wouldn’t get out of there without getting poked. Wouldn’t be a doctor’s appointment without it.
    She sighed loudly. “Let’s get this over with.”

Chapter Two
     
     
    Apollo straightened the black tie he was wearing for about the millionth time.
    Everything had to be perfect.
    He surveyed his handiwork. The picnic blanket had been a bitch to lay out. The damn thing kept flipping over every time a nice breeze came through. Finally he’d decided to strategically place the items from the basket. Champagne in one corner, fruit in another, meats and cheeses in the other and the last one holding the basket. It wasn’t quite like he pictured, but he hoped that Val was too busy with other things to really notice.
    He’d searched for a week to pick the perfect spot. It wasn’t far into the woods but just enough so that they would be alone. A stream of water flowed near where he’d laid the blanket. With trees all over, it offered shade until the sun went down.
    Apollo looked at the setting sun overhead. Another gust of wind blew his sandy brown hair off his damp forehead. Maybe going for the suit and tie hadn’t been the best idea in this heat. He was sweating his ass off in the monkey suit, and he could only hope that when Val got there, he wouldn’t be wearing it for much longer.
    He couldn’t hide the grin that came to his face as he thought about what they would do tonight.
    It would be memorable. Not that every night with her wasn’t. Each time he felt more and more like the man he wanted to be, the kind of man that deserved this life. He was finally able to move on from all the shit that had happened, not just the past few months, but all his life. She was like a healing balm, and the more he got, the better he felt.
    His hand absently reached into his pocket and rubbed the black velvet box. Its weight was more than just the metal and stone inside. It was the weight of his hopes and dreams.
    Apollo leaned his head back and stared at the sky. The clouds were just turning a pinkish hue as the final bits of light painted a beautiful palette in the sky.
    This was what he wanted, what he had pictured in his head.
    He looked away from the sky at the sound of footsteps.
    It was her. He’d know her light footfalls anywhere. Small and nymph-like, Val was nearly silent in the woods. Nearly.
    Her pale blond hair came into view first. Its striking color was very out of place in the lush greenscape. A few pieces of hair had fallen into her face, and he smiled. She’d been growing it out. Not that it mattered to him. Short, long, in between, he didn’t really care. As long as he could run his fingers through the soft strands, he was happy.
    “Sorry I’m late,” she said and stepped over a log.
    His heart kicked up the closer she walked. Before he’d only thought he was sweating a lot. Now he really was. He rubbed the black velvet a few more times to help calm his nerves.
    She looked up at him