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Misguided Ideals
Chapter 1
“Josh, Amber, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss your bride.” The minister called out over the enthusiastic applause.
Cheyenne Cooper dabbed delicately at her eyes so as not to muss her make up as she smiled and shed a tear for her oldest and closest friend. She couldn’t be happier for Amber Sanders, Amber Wyndam now.
That was going to take some getting used to, she mused.
Amber had asked Cheyenne to be maid of honor but since she was catering the wedding it would have been too difficult, so she had relinquished that job to Amber’s sister, Tara.
Cheyenne felt more comfortable behind the scenes anyway. The reception was being held in a hotel ballroom and was just down the block but Cheyenne needed to make sure her staff had it all under control. Everything needed to be perfect for Amber and Josh. She glanced at her watch, gave a jealous but ecstatic last look at the kissing couple and dashed out the door.
Though Cheyenne hadn’t been in the wedding Amber had insisted she dress as if she had been. So at Amber’s command she was attired in the same gorgeous plum gown as the rest of the female wedding party. Running a hand over the flouncy chiffon she situated herself as comfortably as she could in her sleek red Mustang convertible.
Her car was her one and only attention indulgence and definitely the only thing about her that was flashy….on a typical day anyway.
Today she hardly recognized herself. Not only had Amber insisted she wear a bridesmaid dress, she had paid for her hair and make up to be done as well. Cheyenne’s normally straight blonde hair had been pumped full of curls and twisted into some kind knot that she wasn’t entirely certain she could get out. Her make up had been so expertly applied that she was afraid to eat or drink anything. Every time she looked in the mirror she felt as if she was looking at a stranger.
An utter and complete stranger, she Cheyenne had been truly touched that her presence had meant that much to her friend and was happy to oblige her anything to make her big day go smoother and help her relax.
Amber had been so stressed over the past few months that Cheyenne had resolved when it came her time to get married than an elopement was certainly the way to go. Months and months of headaches and panic or one day of it?
The decision was an easy one in her eyes. It was just marriage. Surely after the wedding was hard enough. Why make the before difficult too?
Cheyenne paused to wonder when she’d become so cynical. She clearly recalled a time when she had dreamed of her own overly elaborate wedding day, but with every date she went on the dream seemed to diminish.
If dating was an analogy then the sea had been reduced to a pond and what were left were the throwbacks that someone else hadn’t wanted….and usually with good reason. She couldn’t even count how many bad dates she’d had over the past few years. She was a master of first dates but rarely had a first date resulted in a second. Which brought her to her current state of cynicism.
Cheyenne pushed away the pessimistic thoughts that weddings always seemed to bring to singles as she pulled into the hotel parking lot. She was relieved to count all her employee’s cars were present. No doubt her excellent assistant Mark was keeping everyone on task.
She had a terrific staff but she had been worried something would go awry in her absence. Most of her business was from referrals so each event was a chance to impress and tonight had the added importance of making a friend happy.
She smiled cordially when she past the desk clerk as she made her way to the reception hall. Cheyenne had also volunteered to decorate for the reception which she had done early this morning. She paused to admire her handiwork when she stepped through the doorway.
The softly glowing strands of white bulbs and candles were the only lights in the room and gave it an unmistakable air of romance. A white trellis archway was at the corner of the dance floor and she had snaked more strands of the white bulbs around it until it looked positively glowing and angelic.
The tablecloths were the same saturated color as the bridesmaid dresses which warmed up the space. The center pieces were lovely white gardenias, which you could smell as soon as you walked into the room.
“Gorgeous.” She breathed.
At least she could claim she’d had her dream reception. It just wasn’t her own reception, she mused as she walked toward the hopefully bustling kitchen.
She could smell the dinner of lemon chicken before she had even reached the swinging doors.
“How’s it going Mark?” Cheyenne asked her assistant as she watched him hustle around the kitchen island for a bowl.
“Couldn’t be better doll.” Mark answered without a backward glance.
“Well the guests will start arriving in about ten minutes I expect. What can I do to help?” She asked.
He glanced at her and immediately dropped the bowl he just picked up. “Good God Cheyenne! You look beautiful!” Mark exclaimed.
Cheyenne blushed and looked away as she said, “Whatever.”
“Whatever my ass. If I was straight….” Mark grinned.
“Now somehow I don’t think Steve would appreciate that situation.” She laughed as she began touring the rest of the kitchen stations to see how the rest of the staff was doing.
“If he saw you he’d understand.”
“The chicken smells wonderful.” Cheyenne complimented.
“Changing the subject because you’re uncomfortable? How charming. You’re going to be beating them off with a stick tonight doll, honestly. We’re fine back here. You go out there and have fun Cinderella. Find a Prince Charming.” Mark said as he shoved her out the door.
Cheyenne smiled and shook her head before turning to survey the room for any last minute adjustments before the guests started arriving. But about the time she found something to do is when people started trickling in.
She hung back until Amber’s parents came in then made her way over to them. Del and Fern Sanders were like her second parents and she planned on sitting with them through the dinner.
They spied her and both broke into welcoming smiles. “Cheyenne honey! You look lovely.” Fern said as she hugged her.
“Absolutely beautiful. And I have to say it looks beautiful in here as well.” Del agreed.
“Thank you and a big congratulations. It was a sweet ceremony. Shall we sit?” Cheyenne said.
“You can’t sit with us. You’re sitting with the wedding party.” Fern answered with another smile.
“I’m not part of the party.” Cheyenne protested.
“Now you know as well as I do that you’re an honorary member of the wedding party. Amber’s orders. You’re sitting at her table.” Fern said. “Oh! Here they come. Come on!”
Fern and Del snagged bubbles from a nearby table and tugged Cheyenne toward the door to welcome the new couple. She cheered along with everyone else until Amber pulled her to follow them.
“It looks awesome in here Shy! Stunning really! Come on, you’re sitting next to me at our table.” Amber said over the cheering.
“You’re mom said but I think Tara really should be there. She was your maid of honor.” Cheyenne protested.
“But I wouldn’t have been if you hadn’t catered.” Tara butt in. “It’s ok. Really. I don’t mind.”
Cheyenne and Tara had always been good friends as well. Tara and Amber were only two years apart and Cheyenne had had several classes with both of them in high school. They had got along better than most sisters could claim.
Cheyenne smiled and followed them dutifully to the table where the party sat down, all except for Josh’s best man, Dane Brice, who had made for the bar about as soon as he walked in. Cheyenne stared at him in shocked disbelief at his impertinence.
Could he not have waited five minutes for the bride and groom to settle in, she wondered with irritation.
She watched his broad back as he walked to the back of the room to retrieve a beer before he returned to their table. His long legged stride was confident, almost arrogant as his grey eyes roamed the room until they came to rest upon her.
She felt a hot tingle shoot down her spine to the tips of her toes before she forced her eyes away. Though she wasn’t looking she could still feel his eyes burning through her. She could hear her blood roaring in her ears and a blush crept across her cheeks.
“Congratulations Amber.” Cheyenne said as she cast desperately for something to say. “You two are going to be very happy together.”
“Next time it will be you, Shy.” Amber replied with a smile. “I can feel it.”
Married for thirty minutes and she is already trying to marry off her single friends. What is it about marriage that makes people do that, she wondered silently. Cheyenne returned the smile but kept her mouth shut.
Dane was still staring at her, she could feel it. She chanced a glance and her blue eyes met his probing gaze. She smiled politely and quickly looked away again.
The man was unnervingly gorgeous. Any woman with a pulse could see that. His shaggy sandy blonde hair would have looked unkempt on any other man but he managed to pull it off. She had the insane urge to sink her fingers into it and sift through the cool strands. His intense grey eyes seemed to be boring into her as he oozed sex from every pore of his body. This was a man used to getting what he wanted when he wanted it.
She gave another sideways glance and found he was still looking at her. It was almost as if he knew the effect he was having and was trying to disconcert her and she found that absolutely aggravating.
After a few moments of heated kisses Amber and Josh excused themselves for a couple of minutes leaving Cheyenne sitting there stiffly.
Luckily though, somewhere in the whole five minutes they had been sitting there, Dane had drained his beer and blessedly left to get another one. Cheyenne contented herself to talking with Tara for a few minutes before Amber sank back into her chair. She turned back and found, much to her chagrin, that it was not Amber but Dane.
“Hi.” He said, his voice deep and full of rich timbre…and his breath smelling of beer. Obviously that had not been his first drink of the evening. And on closer inspection his eyes did look a bit clouded.
Great, a drunken best man. Just what I need, Cheyenne thought.
“Hello.” She managed civilly.
“You look shorter than when we were walking down the aisle. Did you change shoes?” He asked as he leaned closer.
Cheyenne stared at him a moment trying to decide if he was being serious or joking but found nothing but earnestness in his expression. He thought she was Tara.
Tara was tall with rich brown hair and brown eyes and Cheyenne was easily six inches shorter with blonde hair and blue eyes. Even the drunkest man would be able to tell them apart.
In her eyes that meant he hadn’t even been paying attention which meant his friends wedding meant little to him. Cheyenne’s annoyance grew.
They had been introduced a few months ago when the whole wedding business came up. Cheyenne hadn’t been impressed with him then either. The man was obviously arrogant and didn’t notice you unless you were completely decked out from head to toe.
“Are you kidding?” She asked.
“Kidding? No. Why would I be? Your shoes...did you change them?” He asked with confusion.
She rolled her eyes and replied, “Something like that.”
Amber and Josh returned then and Dane was forced back into his own seat.
Her barely concealed irritation fascinated him and at the same time wounded his male ego a bit as she left him wondering what he could have said wrong. Dane didn’t have time to ponder it though when the catering staff began serving dinner.
A grand plate filled with lemon chicken, steamed baby carrots and new potatoes was set in front of him. He took another long pull from his beer before digging in. He needed another drink before he had even finished eating and the bartender obligingly brought it to him.
Alcohol was about the only way he could stay sane during weddings anymore. Dane hated weddings. Ever since…no, he pushed the thought away angrily. If he thought about it he would only get resentful and ruin his friends wedding. So instead of thinking about it he would forget about it. He cracked open the beer and took another large swallow.
Cheyenne watched as Dane finished at least his third beer in thirty minutes and tried to refrain from rolling her eyes. She would never understand the fascination with getting drunk at weddings.
When she had finished eating she sat back and took in the rest of the room. Everyone looked content and happy. The DJ had started the evening’s music and Josh and Amber would kick off the evenings dancing soon. No sooner had Cheyenne thought it than the DJ made the announcement.
“I am happy to announce Mr. and Mrs. Wyndam!” The DJ introduced.
Cheyenne suddenly felt exposed as Josh and Amber got up happily and left a gaping hole between Dane and herself. She could feel him staring at her again and her inexplicable irritation with him rose further.
“What?” She asked as she whipped her head around to meet his eyes.
“What?” He innocently asked back.
“You’re staring at me.” She replied pointedly.
“It’s not illegal.” He answered.
“No. But it’s rude.” She said.
“I don’t think it’s rude. I think you’re being rude by pointing out that you think I’m being rude, when I’m not really being rude at all.” Dane smiled.
Cheyenne snapped her mouth shut when she couldn’t think of a reply to that logic and merely turned her back on him as she began talking to Tara. Of course Dane would have none of that and stood to move into their conversation.
“Dinner was absolutely divine.” Tara gushed.
“It did turn out very good.” Cheyenne agreed.
“It was dry. I didn’t even know Denny’s catered.” Dane said with a laugh.
Cheyenne felt her blood heat at that and bit her tongue on a caustic remark. Tara opened her mouth to defend her but Cheyenne lay a quieting hand on her arm.
“Do excuse us Mr. Brice. We just need to go freshen up.” Cheyenne said evenly and tugged Tara along behind her, leaving Dane staring in surprise after them.
As soon as they were out of ear shot Cheyenne let go the torrent of peeves that had been building up for the past hour.
“Have you ever met such a rude, arrogant…” Cheyenne cast around for the right word to continue her tirade but Tara interrupted her.
“The dinner was delicious. I think he was joking Shy.” Tara soothed.
“Do you? I don’t think he was.” Cheyenne insisted. “I’m going to go check on the kitchen staff. I’ll talk to you later.”
“You’ve found your Prince Charming. I think someone is in lust. Not that anyone could blame you.” Mark teased.
“You’re joking! I do not so it must be you. He’s insufferable, rude and arrogant.” She argued.
“So you’ve said. Many times. He’s also tall, gorgeous, a hard body and drunk. This is it doll, you could have him if you wanted him. Go have your way with him.” Mark said with a wink.
“I don’t want him. What do good looking men get you? Nothing. At the end of the day they go off with someone hotter and younger than you are.” Cheyenne disagreed.
“So you refuse to like him because he’s good looking? Careful doll. You’re beginning to sound bitter.” He replied.
“Not because he’s gorgeous, I don’t like him because he’s arrogant.” She said and earned an eye roll from Mark. “Well he is. And I’m not bitter either.”
After a few moments of careful thinking she continued. “I’m just….tired of the game. I give up Mark. That’s all there is to it.”
“You’re positively depressed tonight. What’s up Shy?” He asked seriously.
“Weddings. They bring out the worst in singles. They’re the epitome of everything singles don’t have.” She replied with a wry smile. “I better get back out there. They should begin the toasts soon.”
She had just stepped outside the swinging doors of the kitchen when she heard Amber calling for her over the microphone.
“Where is Cheyenne? Shy?” She called as she scanned the crowd. “Ah, there she is. And lastly a huge thanks to Cheyenne Cooper, who catered the wonderful meal and made this gorgeous cake.” Amber saluted.
Cheyenne smiled at her friend and gave a small nod and wave to the applauding crowd. Unwittingly she sought Dane’s gaze and found he did look suitably trite and embarrassed. She gave him a scathing glance before she disappeared back into the kitchen.
