Read Online A Marine’s Proposal by Lisa Carlisle - Free Book Online
Authors: Lisa Carlisle
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repeated.
“Oh.” Caitlyn forced herself to the here and now. “I can't think of anything we can do all dressed up like this on a Friday morning.”
This was ridiculous. This was their wedding day. They were all dressed up and had nothing to do. Where were all the festivities, the people, the dancing, the music, the food?
“We could always get something to eat,” Caitlyn suggested.
“How did I know you were going to say that?” Slade smirked.
“And maybe we can go for a walk along the beach after.”
“Yes, that's perfect,” Slade said. “Sounds romantic after all. Good for our story. Let's skip the fast food and go somewhere nice. Somehow I don't think a quick burger is appropriate for this occasion.”
“I certainly hope not,” Caitlyn agreed. “It's not every day that I get married.” Then, she turned to him, “Do you feel different at all?”
“What do you mean?”
“Different. Officially, we're married.”
Slade was quiet for a moment as he thought about it. “No, not really. It doesn't mean anything, it's essentially just paperwork.”
“I noticed,” Caitlyn said sarcastically. Then she said, “I know this isn't real or anything, but even so, I thought that the official act of getting married would make me feel different somehow. Do you know what I mean?”
“I suppose so,” Slade said. “But, it's probably better this way. If it doesn't feel like anything to you, it will be easier to play it off. Also, it will be easier when it comes time to end it. Just some more paperwork.”
Caitlyn cringed, but tried to cover it with a smile, then worried her twisted facial expressions might be making her appear to be a lunatic. Sure she didn't yet feel married, but she didn't have to be reminded that her marriage would soon be over, especially on her wedding day. A defiant part of her refused to agree. “Or maybe it hasn't settled in yet.”
Slade shrugged.
At their leisurely brunch, Slade ordered some sake. “We need a toast.”
“To making this marriage thing work,” Caitlyn said only half-referring to convincing others. The other half referring to truly making it work.
“Sounds good to me,” Slade said, clinking her cup.
They drank their sake, Caitlyn forcing the burning liquid down her throat. She only had it once before and it was much too strong for her. She was thankful they only ordered a glass, not a bottle.
****
After brunch, they meandered down to the beach. Caitlyn took off her strappy sandals and Slade took off his shoes and socks as they traipsed along the ocean, the sand filtering between their toes. They didn't say much as the radiant Okinawan sun warmed their bodies and they listened to the waves of the Pacific crash against the shore.
Caitlyn suggested, “We can swing by our apartment.”
“We could,” Slade said. “But there's nothing there. No furniture to sit on yet. What would we do?”
“Good point,” Caitlyn said. They continued strolling in a comfortable silence until she added, “I have my bikini in my bag. Do you have swim trunks?”
“Yeah. You want to go swimming?”
“Why not?” She spread her arms wide. “Another beautiful sunny day in Okinawa. We have the day off. And the water here is so warm and clear. You should experience how freezing the water gets in Portland, Maine.”
“Maybe one day you’ll invite me.”
Caitlyn gazed out into the ocean. Envisioning Slade back in her home town in the States was something she fantasized about, but they'd never spoken about their friendship continuing back in the U.S., once they were out of the Marines.
“Only if you take me to Austin,” she countered. “I've never been to Texas. It's hard for me to picture.”
“Deal.” Slade extended his hand and Caitlyn shook it.
“I'm going to change in the car,” she said. “You have towels, right?”
His challenging gaze answered before he did. “What do you think?”
“Of course. Slade Masters is always prepared.”
****
Caitlyn came
“Oh.” Caitlyn forced herself to the here and now. “I can't think of anything we can do all dressed up like this on a Friday morning.”
This was ridiculous. This was their wedding day. They were all dressed up and had nothing to do. Where were all the festivities, the people, the dancing, the music, the food?
“We could always get something to eat,” Caitlyn suggested.
“How did I know you were going to say that?” Slade smirked.
“And maybe we can go for a walk along the beach after.”
“Yes, that's perfect,” Slade said. “Sounds romantic after all. Good for our story. Let's skip the fast food and go somewhere nice. Somehow I don't think a quick burger is appropriate for this occasion.”
“I certainly hope not,” Caitlyn agreed. “It's not every day that I get married.” Then, she turned to him, “Do you feel different at all?”
“What do you mean?”
“Different. Officially, we're married.”
Slade was quiet for a moment as he thought about it. “No, not really. It doesn't mean anything, it's essentially just paperwork.”
“I noticed,” Caitlyn said sarcastically. Then she said, “I know this isn't real or anything, but even so, I thought that the official act of getting married would make me feel different somehow. Do you know what I mean?”
“I suppose so,” Slade said. “But, it's probably better this way. If it doesn't feel like anything to you, it will be easier to play it off. Also, it will be easier when it comes time to end it. Just some more paperwork.”
Caitlyn cringed, but tried to cover it with a smile, then worried her twisted facial expressions might be making her appear to be a lunatic. Sure she didn't yet feel married, but she didn't have to be reminded that her marriage would soon be over, especially on her wedding day. A defiant part of her refused to agree. “Or maybe it hasn't settled in yet.”
Slade shrugged.
At their leisurely brunch, Slade ordered some sake. “We need a toast.”
“To making this marriage thing work,” Caitlyn said only half-referring to convincing others. The other half referring to truly making it work.
“Sounds good to me,” Slade said, clinking her cup.
They drank their sake, Caitlyn forcing the burning liquid down her throat. She only had it once before and it was much too strong for her. She was thankful they only ordered a glass, not a bottle.
****
After brunch, they meandered down to the beach. Caitlyn took off her strappy sandals and Slade took off his shoes and socks as they traipsed along the ocean, the sand filtering between their toes. They didn't say much as the radiant Okinawan sun warmed their bodies and they listened to the waves of the Pacific crash against the shore.
Caitlyn suggested, “We can swing by our apartment.”
“We could,” Slade said. “But there's nothing there. No furniture to sit on yet. What would we do?”
“Good point,” Caitlyn said. They continued strolling in a comfortable silence until she added, “I have my bikini in my bag. Do you have swim trunks?”
“Yeah. You want to go swimming?”
“Why not?” She spread her arms wide. “Another beautiful sunny day in Okinawa. We have the day off. And the water here is so warm and clear. You should experience how freezing the water gets in Portland, Maine.”
“Maybe one day you’ll invite me.”
Caitlyn gazed out into the ocean. Envisioning Slade back in her home town in the States was something she fantasized about, but they'd never spoken about their friendship continuing back in the U.S., once they were out of the Marines.
“Only if you take me to Austin,” she countered. “I've never been to Texas. It's hard for me to picture.”
“Deal.” Slade extended his hand and Caitlyn shook it.
“I'm going to change in the car,” she said. “You have towels, right?”
His challenging gaze answered before he did. “What do you think?”
“Of course. Slade Masters is always prepared.”
****
Caitlyn came
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