A/N: Hey everyone. Thanks for the reviews for the last chapter; your comments about Cress have been very thoughtful. But, as promised, this chapter is a lot lighter again. I hope you'll enjoy it. Thanks to everyone who reviews and lovelunarchron for betareading: :)
Sometimes all it took was a good night's sleep to gain some new perspective. When Cress woke up in a comfortable bed (a luxury she hadn't had for two nights), she felt much more relaxed and optimistic than the day before.
Huy Deshal's apartment was small and quaint just like her own and had everything she needed. After getting ready (which included a hot shower to get rid of the last lingering plane smells and wearing one of her new summer dresses she bought for her trip to Los Angeles), she had plenty of time to take a short walk through the neighborhood where she found a cute little coffee shop. With a cup of coffee in one hand and a lemon poppy muffin in the other, Cress happily walked around until it was time to hail a cab that would take her to Artemisia Hall.
She had decided that even though things hadn't gone according to plan so far, she still could have a good time for the time being. Maybe Thorne didn't want to work with her, maybe he didn't even need her. Cress would stay for a few days and see how it went. She could head home later this week or the next and come back a few days before the wedding. It would be plenty of time for her to familiarize herself with the schedule for the ceremony so she could jump in as long as Thorne would be the best man. That way she could also get a few clients over the summer which would be good for her business too. It wasn't exactly what she had hoped for, but it seemed to be the best course of action.
When she arrived at Artemisia Hall, the building exceeded her expectations. Even from the outside, it looked much grander than in the pictures, but the light colors of the stones made it look warm and inviting. Two staircases encircled a water fountain and led up to the entry. On the other side, close to the beach, there was a conservatory and a garden full of wisteria trees, Cress knew.
It was a perfect wedding venue. Beautiful, idyllic ...
... and totally at odds with the sound of screeching tires behind her. When she turned around, Cress saw a blue sportscar spluttering towards the pavement and, after two attempts, eventually managed to get into the parking space.
Cress had no doubt who was driving that car.
"Hi Thorne."
He noticeably brightened when he saw her as he exited the car. "Good morning, Cress. Cinder and Kai not here yet?"
She shook her head, then pointed at the new car. "Is the new car broken already?" That was the politest way for her to allude to his erratic driving style which she only knew too well from their trip together.
Thorne waved his hand. "Nah, just haven't gotten the hang of it yet. I'll figure it out later." He climbed up the steps to meet her and gave her a dimpled smile. He hadn't gone for the sleek business look of yesterday, so Cress was happy that her colorful summer dress wouldn't seem too casual.
They stood a bit awkwardly next to each it other, so Cress pretended to inspect the water fountain. It wasn't turned on at the moment and she wondered how it would look if it were. She could spot some light installments and knew it would make a perfect spot for wedding pictures after sunset.
Cress felt, rather than heard, Thorne approach. "Say, Cress, about yesterday ..." There was an uncharacteristic pause. From the corner of her eyes, Cress saw him rubbing his neck uncomfortably. Cress would have lied saying that she didn't enjoy seeing him squirm a little bit.
Cress didn't know if Thorne had intended to defend himself or apologize to her. Whatever it was, he was interrupted by Kai and Cinder's arrival.
The four toured the grounds together which were at the moment being set up for an event later on. Thorne pointed out the layout and the most remarkable structural details - all of which Cress had already memorized from browsing the website. She tried to envision it with Thorne's ideas in mind as he spelled them out, using a folder to show them pictures or to write things down. Using a folder struck Cress as odd - after all, they lived in the digital age with so many handy apps ready to make their jobs easier. Instead Thorne carried his folder around with post-its and memos sticking out and meticulously took notes. Cress opened her tablet to do the same.
"And here at the center of the ceiling would be the light installation. We would adjust the lighting to the events, of course, so the light would be different during the ceremony, dinner, entertainment, etc. We still have to agree on some kind of entertainment for your guests ... if you haven't changed your mind about showing off your Terminator routine that is, eh, Cinder?" Thorne nudged Cinder conspiratorially.
Cinder made a face. "Can't I hope that you won't try to embarrass me for one day, Thorne?"
Thorne just grinned. "Nope, you're making it way too easy."
"Terminator, Cinder?" Kai asked, surprise and amusement evident in his voice. Cress was glad that, for once, that she wasn't the only one left out of loop. Yesterday, she hadn't fit into this tight-knit group of friends. They might not have known each other as long as she and Kai had but were much closer. After all, they all lived in the same city and spent a lot of time together.
Thorne told Kai about one of Cinder's drunken escapades after downing one too many of their friend's grandmother's peach schnaps (which made Cress less embarrassed about her own drunken singing at Oasis). Cress might have heard of Scarlet before but all she could remember was that she and her husband, Ze'ev, would be the bridesmaid and groomsman, respectively.
"What do you think?" Thorne leaned over her shoulder as if to read her notes. "You like the venue?"
Cress nodded. "It's beautiful. The staircases, the ceiling, the decorations..." A sigh escaped her lips which she noted made Thorne smile. He seemed pleased by her reaction as if her approval of the venue meant a lot to him. Cress didn't know what to make of it.
"Well, then I can't wait to show you the rest. Your mind will probably explode."
Cress's mind didn't explode but she was delighted by the rest of Artemisia Hall all the same. There was a conservatory attached to the main banquet hall. Usually, it served as a restaurant for the public but it would be great for the reception. That way, after the ceremony, the guests could get some refreshments there and mingle about while the main hall would be rearranged for the feast. The gardens were just as amazing with its wisteria trees and little pathways, with the main one leading down to the beach.
Cress let herself forget about the last two days and the friends behind her and excitedly ran down to it with a squeal. The waves greeted her as her feet sank into the wet sand.
The sunshine, the beach, the sea - it all made her trip worthwhile after all.
"Do you have any idea where Thorne is taking us?"
Neither Cress nor Cinder had an answer for Kai's question. They were at the moment trailing Thorne's car in Kai's with only Thorne knowing where they would end up. Cress had decided to drive with Kai and Cinder, not least because she deemed Kai the safer driver (he was).
Cinder crossed her arms. "I don't like this. I don't like this at all."
"What do you mean?" Cress asked.
"I don't trust Thorne's surprises. Nothing good has ever come out of them."
"Like the one time he planned a surprise party for you but you heard noises from your apartment and called the cops?" Kai ventured.
"Yeah."
"Or when he wanted to surprise Ze'ev at his construction site but scared him into falling off the scaffold and broke his leg?"
Cress could see Cinder's expression darken even more. "Yeah."
"Or like the time he invited us to watch his vacation video and accidentally played porn instead? And that 'us' included Scarlet's grandma?"
There was the distinct sound of grinding teeth now. "Yeah."
Cress had to stifle a laugh, as she had the feeling Cinder wouldn't appreciate it. For once she didn't mind being kept out of the loop. She would have died of embarrassment if she had been present. How a renowned event planner could be so abysmal at planning, well, events was beyond her. Probably because he hadn't gotten paid for them. In any case, Cress hoped she would survive Thorne's surprise without broken bones or accidental pornos.
Finally, Thorne turned and parked in a mostly empty parking lot with Kai following suit. He led them towards one of the buildings but Cress guessed that neither Kai nor Cinder had ever been here before. Where was Thorne taking them?
Thorne pointed to one of the buildings and told the couple to go ahead. He fell in line with Cress who walked behind them. "I'll walk with you. That way we can tackle Cinder to the ground together if she plans to escape," he whispered conspiratorially in her ear.
Cress doubted Cinder had heard him but she still shot them a suspicious glance over her shoulder. Cress could only shrug helplessly. She had no idea why they would even need to tackle Cinder to the ground and slowly became nervous for her friend's fiancée.
The building was inconspicuous except for the music playing loud enough to be heard on the staircase. It was only when they reached the third floor and read the sign on the door that they realized where Thorne had taken them.
A dance school.
Cress didn't think that warranted all the secrecy involved in getting them here when she heard a loud groan from Cinder as she tried bolting down the stairs again. She would have succeeded (Cress doubted she could have stopped the taller woman) but Thorne had already anticipated the move and turned her back towards the door and knocked on it, Cinder's shoulder firmly in his grasp.
"No chance, Cinder. You won't get out of this. Not this time," he told her sternly, obviously alluding to some other failed dance lesson. He pointed at Kai. "You, Kai, are the epitome of the modern gentleman and everything one could ask for in a dance partner. A light-footed dreamboat really." Kai's ears turned a nice shade of pink but before he could respond, Thorne had already turned to Cinder. "You, on the other hand, are the reason the swan died at the end."
"Hey!" Cress interjected but Cinder didn't seem insulted. Instead her expression became even more sullen.
"I hate you, Thorne."
Thorne pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. "I know."
With a long sigh and a defiant raise of her chin, Cinder appeared to resign herself to her fate just in time for the door to open.
Cress wondered if Thorne surrounded himself with any women who were anything less than stunning. Because the woman standing in the doorway? Exactly that. Stunning from head to toe. No small feat when the distance between head to toe seemed to be about 5'10 in height. Cress had to accept that California seemed to be a breeding ground for real-life elves.
"Hey, Carswell," the woman greeted Thorne with a kiss on his cheek.
"Cars-well," mimicked Cinder under breath. Cress could see Kai reaching over and giving her hip a slight squeeze.
"Morning, Elia." He gave her nose an affectionate tweak. "And I told you, I go by Thorne now."
Elia smiled, revealing a perfect dimple in her cheek. "I've known you since you were a head shorter than me. Old habits die hard, you know."
Thorne laughed. "A fact I know only too well."
They walked in together as Elia's hand wound itself around Thorne's elbow. They finally stood in a huge dance studio with mirrors lining the walls. There were no other people present so Cress assumed that Kai and Cinder would have a private lesson. She had no idea why she needed to be there except maybe to sit by and watch.
"Guys, this is Elia," Thorne introduced the black-haired woman. "She's going to be our dance instructor today and honestly, she is phen-o-men-al."
Elia giggled. "Stop it. I mean it's true but still."
Cress caught Cinder's gaze and the two shared a look. Suddenly, just sitting by and watching didn't sound too bad.
Meanwhile, Kai shook Elia's hand. "Pleased to meet you and thanks for the lesson. Is this your dance studio?"
Elia shook her head which made her raven locks swing enticingly around her hips. "No, not yet. I only recently came back to L.A. as a dance instructor. I toured the last few years but you can't perform forever."
Kai nodded. "Yes, I heard it's demanding. Your focus is ballroom dancing or ...?"
"Yes, though I always dabbled in other styles too. I had dance lessons since I was a kid and was our school's pep squad captain before I went to a dance academy in Philadelphia."
"You went to school with Thorne?" Cress asked. Apparently, that was news to Kai and Cinder too.
"Yes. He was quite the charmer then too. Always playing us poor girls - just enough to keep us interested but never enough to commit to any of us. Horrible, really." She waggled her finger at Thorne. "Shame on you, Carswell."
Thorne, Cress noted, didn't look ashamed in the least. He bounced on his heels and clapped his hands. "So much for introductions and sharing memories. I think it's time to start. Elia, the floor is yours." He bowed dramatically which made Elia giggle.
"Same old Carswell — sorry, Thorne. Okay, first you need the right shoes since you will dance in high heels too and it just gives you better posture."
Cinder snapped her fingers in mock disappointment. "Too bad, I didn't know I would need my 'high-heels' so I didn't bring them with me."
The way she said 'high-heels' made Cress believe that Cinder didn't actually own a pair.
However, Elia just smiled knowingly. "No worries, Thorne told me in advance to prepare." She pointed to the wall furthest from them where a whole array of slinky high-heels were neatly set up. "Thorne also told me you weren't likely to wear shoes with more than three inches so I borrowed some from the beginner's class. We'll start with the basic steps and then you'll dance together until we have a good foundation to work with. Just pick your size and then we can start."
She turned to Cress and Thorne. "I might borrow you for demonstrations, Thorne. I remember you were quite the dancer in high school. But you can both take a seat in the meantime."
Cress had the feeling that Elia had no idea that Cress would be coming or what to do with her now that she was here. Cress had no problem sitting down and watching though.
That's when she noticed Cinder shaking her head at her and discreetly pointing to the line of shoes, mouthing 'please'. The unspoken plea was clear - she wanted Cress to join.
That hadn't been part of her plan. Cress wasn't generally as opposed to dancing as Cinder seemed to be but Cress felt like a third wheel already. She doubted sharing the dance floor with the couple would help that. Then again, Cress hardly ever had the heart to say 'no' to a bride's wishes.
"Um," Cress started, " maybe I could participate too? Refreshing ... some old lessons?"
"Sure." Elia shrugged. "We won't do anything complicated though."
"That's okay." Cress followed Cinder to change into suitable dancing shoes. She hoped the smallest size would fit her.
Cinder had already picked a pair and was sitting on the floor to as she tried to work out the clasp on a pair of golden pumps. "Thank you for taking part too. I feel less like a fool then," Cinder mumbled so the other three wouldn't hear.
"No problem." Cress realized that it was the first time she'd talked to Cinder alone. Usually not one to approach people, she nevertheless wanted to take the chance to get to know Kai's fiancée a bit better. "You don't like dancing then?"
Cinder shrugged. "I like it just fine if it's in a club. With flat shoes, cool music ... yeah, I can hop around to that. But I'm no good at the kind of dance Elia is apparently phen-o-me-nal at," she said, mimicking Thorne.
"Hm. You know, you don't have to have a first dance. You can do something else if you feel uncomfortable. I'm sure Kai will understand."
A blush spread over Cinder's face. "Well ... I do love dancing with Kai. He's way better at it than me. We usually just shuffle around but when I dance with him" — a dreamy smile played on her lips as if she was lost in some memory — "I feel so secure. Less clumsy or awkward. Like I'm the best version of myself."
Cress didn't say anything for a long time, considering Cinder's words.
Cinder must have taken her silence the wrong way because she quickly added, "Sorry that was mushy."
"No!" Cress hurried to say. "Not at all. I was just thinking how beautiful that sounded. That's how everyone should feel with the person they're going to marry. As if they're the best version of themselves with them."
Cinder pursed her lips. "It's still mushy."
Cress laughed. "I would call it romantic. So, you actually want to have a first dance then?"
"I guess." Cinder shook her head in determination. "Yes, I want it."
"Then it's a good thing Thorne got you this lesson." Once more, Cress realized how much better Thorne knew Cinder even when he teased her. But he knew her well enough to know when to push her into the things she wanted apparently. "I'm sure he knows you wouldn't want complicated choreography. Elia even said it wouldn't be too complicated. But this way you will have some basic steps to fall back on if you're not sure what to do next."
"You're right. And Thorne is probably right too." Cinder propped herself up, testing her shoes before offering Cress a hand to help her up. "But don't tell him I said that."
"So, we have basically two options for our steps. Both are easy but they have a different tempo and rhythm."
Elia was standing in front of the mirror with their back to them - of course, they could still see her and follow her instructions through her reflection.
Behind her, Kai, Cinder, Cress and Thorne had lined up with some space between them. Cress had been surprised when Thorne had joined them and said something about not wanting them to have all the fun before he took the spot next to Cress.
"There's either a slow shuffle," Elia demonstrated some simple swaying from side to side, "or if you want it to look more choreographed, a basic Rumba step." Another demonstration with one foot going back, the other following suit to tip down for a second and then do the same one foot forward. It was easy enough though Elia's impeccable form made it look much fancier than it was.
"We would work on them and then build upon it with some twirls. It depends what you prefer - a slower, natural dance or a quick choreography?"
Either way, Cress thought these were the easiest steps she had ever seen. She had watched couples work out intricate choreographies. With a dance instructor, Cress had expected a Viennese Waltz. Those steps she could have taught Cinder and Kai herself. Thorne must have drilled Elia to keep it as simple as possible. That way Cinder and Kai could focus entirely on each other and didn't have to concentrate on their routine. Cress had the feeling that this was what Cinder preferred.
"We don't have a song yet. But ...," Kai looked at Cinder with a smile so cute Cress wanted to squeal. "I think we would like the slow shuffle."
"Smooch music. Good choice."
Cress had to stifle a giggle at Thorne's comment. She guessed that was one way to describe it.
"I have the perfect music for that." Thorne handed Elia a flash drive and when she plugged it in a familiar, slow tuned played.
When I found you, I found somebody who cares
When I found you, I found my most intimate prayer
When I found you, I found what every heart dreams of
When I found you, I found love.
Cress instantly recognized it as the song Kai and Cinder danced to (and, according to Thorne, did a bit more than just that) during Kate's wedding. Even Cress had to admit it was one of the cheesier songs.
"That's not the song we will be dancing to!" Cinder huffed.
"No?" Kai seemed surprised to hear that.
Cinder looked as if Kai had just proposed they live on the moon. "Kai, you can't seriously want to dance to that!?"
Kai rubbed his neck. "I don't know. It was the first song we danced to. Don't you think that makes it special?" He looked over at Cress. "What do you say?"
"Um, I don't think you have to pick the first song you danced to. Otherwise many first dances of the weddings I have planned would have included "Zombie" by The Cranberries or something by the Black Eyed Peas."
"Yeah, not every first song is predestined to be the song. Like imagine Cress and I getting married. We would have to dance to a Nancy Sinatra medley," Thorne joked with a wink at Cress.
Kai and Cinder's eyes got big. "Why a Nancy Sinatra medley?" Kai asked.
"Ah, we heard it on the radio on the way here," he told them with a wave of his hand. Cress was once again struck by Thorne being considerate enough not to embarrass her in front of Kai and Cinder when he didn't have the same qualms about Cinder.
Kai seemed pleased with that answer but Cinder looked weirdly at Thorne. "I've never once heard you talk about marriage. Not once." She shuddered as if the thought alone creeped her out. "It's wrong."
"You're just sad you let this fine specimen slip through your fingers."
Cinder rolled her eyes. "Please, I dodged a bullet. No one wants you."
"Everyone wants me."
"Uhm, guys?" Elia cleared her throat. "Maybe we should get started? We can pick the right song later. We'll just go with some slow music I have on my flash drive for now."
Elia picked an instrumental version of some pop song and started her lesson. "So, the shuffle I'm sure I don't need to teach you. You just sway from side to side and the man will lead his partner in circles. But to change things up a bit, I'll show you some easy twirls you can add to your dance. Nothing difficult, but if you learn it now, it will look effortless. And you won't be surprised by the movement," she added with a glance to Cinder.
"I'll show you the twirls right away then." She beckoned Thorne to come and moved them into a dancing position. "Kai will put his hand on Cinder's shoulder blade. That makes it look more formal and makes it easier for him to lead her. Cinder can then follow his lead."
"Which will probably the last time that happens during their marriage," Thorne cackled. He focused then on matching Elia's steps. They easily swayed through the room.
With Thorne as her partner, Elia showed them an under-the-arm twirl, then a roll-out and a simple dip - all done to perfection. It was simple, elegant and would look good enough for one song. Elia then walked over to Kai and Cinder and moved them into position.
"Shall we?"
Cress blinked in surprise. Thorne had walked back to where Cress was standing and offered her his hand, obviously asking her to be his partner.
"You want to dance ... with me?"
"Seeing that I'm standing in front of you with no one else around, I'd say yes." He smiled at her. "Unless you see some other pretty lady I could ask?"
When Cress didn't say anything, he hurried to add, "And obviously, we need to show those two over there how it's done."
"Ha, as if," Kai objected. He was leading Cinder, who looked less nervous than before. She easily followed Kai's lead and her first attempts at being twirled and dipped started to look confident. "Maybe you can learn a thing or two from us, Carswell."
"That was a clear challenge. Cress, we have to reciprocate!" And without waiting for her, he took her hand in his and pulled her closer. His other hand rested on the lower part of her back before Cress knew it.
"Ah-ah, Thorne," Elia said disapprovingly. "Hands up to the shoulder blade. We don't grope, we lead." The phone rang and Elia made a motion that she would take the call outside.
Thorne sighed but dutifully placed his hands on Cress's shoulder blade. "For the record, I wasn't trying to grope."
And with that, Thorne led her into a dance that mimicked the one Kai and Cinder were currently dancing.
Cress had to admit, Thorne was an exceptional dancer. Sure, the steps were easy enough but he moved with the same confidence and ease with which he apparently did everything. Cress didn't think she had ever danced with a partner this good. She felt like she was floating, each step matching perfectly and by the time he shifted her slightly for a roll-out, Cress already felt like a movie star from the 40s.
But Thorne and Kai apparently hadn't been joking about the challenge. The two men locked eyes ever so often, sizing each other up. They were clearly trying to outdo each other, each twirling and dipping their partners more and more dramatically. Cress had an easier time keeping up than Cinder but still, she had to adjust to Thorne's faster speed too. Kai too didn't care all that much about the romantic, slow shuffle anymore.
Cress started to lose any sense of direction. Thorne's hands steadied her well enough but she certainly didn't feel like a movie star anymore. More like a spinning top.
When the music came to an end, Cress was glad. She prepared herself for the last dramatic dip Thorne surely intended for the big finish ...
... as did Kai with Cinder in close proximity. How Cress knew? Because as she twirled into a low dip, she crashed into a pony-tailed head with her own.
"Ouch!"
"Ow!" Pain exploded in the back of Cress's head and she disentangled herself from Thorne's hands as quickly as possible. She heard Kai and Thorne apologize profusely to both of them for not having calculated the distance correctly. When Cress looked up she saw Cinder furiously rubbing her forehead.
"You idiots! You stupid guys with your stupid competitions!" Cinder raised one leg, trying her best to get her shoes off as quickly as possible. "Why does everything have to turn into a dumb competition with you two?" She threw the first shoe towards the wall where it slithered perfectly into the line of other shoes. "If I have an ugly bruise on my forehead during the wedding, I'm going to throw the both of you into the closest lake."
"Cinder? Concerned about a bruise?" Thorne chuckled which Cress thought was unwise. "What's next, will you be worried about your fingernails too?"
"Watch it, Thorne!" She threw the other shoe, only barely missing Thorne's shoulder, but Cress had the feeling she didn't want to hit Thorne as she had proven with the other shoe that her aim was really good. Cress couldn't say she would have minded if her aim had been a bit off though.
"Oh come on, Cinder." Kai tried to approach her but backed off with his raised hands when Cinder narrowed her eyes at him in warning. "It was all in good humor. See, one can hardly see any bruise at all."
"Well, not thanks to you." Cinder stomped off to get her shoes and bag. "You know what, you can finish that dance lessons together. Or arm wrestle, or, or ... see who can pee further. I'm out."
She turned to Cress and her features softened. "Want to come with me? Leave those idiots?"
Cress was surprised. "Um, sure?" She hurried to slip off the dancing shoes and grab her belongings.
In the meantime, Cinder asked Kai for his car keys which he handed to her without a word of objection. She turned to leave the room as Elia came back in, confused as to why Cinder was on her way out. Cinder thanked her for the lesson and beckoned Cress to follow her.
Before she left, Cress turned to the guys once more. "She's right, you know. That was neither the time or place for a competition." She turned to look at Thorne. "I mean, by now I wouldn't expect anything different from you but you ..." She shook her head at Kai in disappointment. "I would have expected more from you."
She hurried to catch up with Cinder.