Too Tall, Too Dark, Too Handsome? chap 1

Chapter 1

The minutes ticking away on her watch spurred O'Shea McMalley to action. In only thirty minutes her best friend in the world would be saying 'I do' to a man who was completely wrong for her. As if to prove that to Shea at least, she'd seen the lying, no good man out last night with another woman. It'd taken her this long to work up enough nerve to tell Sherry that her fiance was nothing more than a man. A no good man! Shea's entire life had been filled with them, oh sure they come with some good lines and in some pretty packages, but at their core they were men! This time however, they weren't toying with her emotions, it was much more personal when they were blind-siding her friends. She would stop at nothing, even intruding on a wedding to keep this from happening to Sherry.

The church stood tall and beautiful against the slowly descending sun, her heart thudded in apprehension and adrenaline. Somehow, Shea felt like a movie star climbing the marble stairs of the church and throwing open the heavy cedar doors. The minister's booming voice echoed in the entry hall and it only served to make her heart beat faster. Each step echoed louder in her ears until it seemed one more step might make her ear drums burst. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, she found herself staring at the double doors that lead to the sanctuary. Just as she grasped the door handle, a hand gripped her arm.

"Can I help you?" a deep voice asked from behind her.

A scream exited her lips, alerting the ushers on the other side of the door. Soon the entire sanctuary full of people were staring at her and the man who's hand dug its imprint into her upper arm.

"Shea?" Sherry asked from where she stood hand-in-hand with Joe Lampart.

"Yes, Sherry, it's me. I came to tell you not to do it. Don't marry this jerk!" she yelled from the back of the church, wishing that she hadn't seen a thing. Yet she had, and so this was her duty. Simultaneously, she was doing her best to squirm out of the man's grip, yet he did not let go. Turning back toward him she came face to face with the most incredible looking man she'd ever seen in her life. Dark eyes, dark hair, dark skin, an amazing smile...blinking she mentally slapped herself. What was she doing? Shea McMalley didn't drool over men, she ignored them. Instead of drooling any longer, she gave one last forceful tug against his hand forcing him to release her and she stomped toward the front of the church.

"Someone get her out of here!" shouted Joe, tugging Sherry toward him and whispering something in her ear.

"No, I won't leave until I've told Sherry everything I've seen. She needs to know the truth. Either I tell her in private or I tell the world. Your pick." clamping both hands onto her none-to-slim hips Shea stared him down.

"Private works." he choked, running a finger between his neck and his collar.

It seemed everything was going to be okay now, Sherry ushered her into a side room, her face red as a tomato. "What do you think you're doing, O'Shea McMalley?"

"Telling you something you need to know, I saw Joe making out with another woman last night. He is no good, Sherry." she sputtered, hoping her friend didn't hate her for ruining the day she'd dreamed about for her entire life.

"Not my Joe, you must be blind Shea. Can't you see the love in his eyes? He'd never do that. Not to me. Maybe it was someone who looked like him. Now, if you'll excuse me I have friends and family waiting to see me get married." her long time best friend shoved past her long white gown flowing in the breeze she'd created.

"Sherry! He doesn't love you, he can't if he's doing that!" she shouted after her.

The door swooshed open nearly slamming the wall and Sherry turned toward her, "Well maybe I do not care, Shea. I love him, this is my life, I'll take my chances. Good-bye."

A tear tore down her cheek, and Shea exited from the side of the church hoping not to interfere with Sherry's special day anymore. Heart heavy, she glanced back at the church, why didn't Sherry believe her or care? Was this the end of their friendship? Sighing, she realized with growing certainty that it most likely was.

"Hey!"

The deep voice caught her off guard once again and the heel of her shoe got caught in a crack in the sidewalk. Tugging her foot, she lost her balance, tumbling end over end to land on her behind in the moist grass. "You seem to catch me at the most embarrassing times." she muttered, turning her face up toward the man.

He smiled, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I just wanted to tell you that I respect what you did in there. That took some guts." Extending his hand toward her, he implored her with his eyes to take his offer of friendship.

Sighing, Shea placed her hand in his silently thanking him for trying. There was nothing she hated more than men, but right now she needed someone to tell her everything was going to be alright. That she wasn't hated, that she had a friend in this world. "Guts. I've got guts, what I haven't got is friends." she whispered, tears began to trickle down her cheeks at that.

"Oh now, now." he said, his voice growing softer, he tugged her into a gentle embrace, rubbing her back as he soothed her.

Arms now wrapped around the man's middle, Shea stood uncomfortably in his arms crying her eyes out. Yet, after a few minutes the original feelings of thankfulness subsided and she realized what was happening. He had control. Her breath became labored, and she tugged away. "I'm sorry, I really should go." she clipped out, wiping furiously at her eyes.

"No, wait. What's your name? Can I call you? Don't leave now." his hand caught her's, and her knees went weak.

"I've really got to go!" she replied, tugging her hand away from his and sprinting the rest of the way to her car. She could not let herself get too close to a man again, couldn't allow her heart the pain.

--

Kentavious Pharrell stood watching the little red sports car disappear down the street, never in his life had he seen such a gorgeous woman. The moment he'd laid eyes on her, he'd been amused. Scared as she was, she still had a presence that told him her temper was like none other. Irish, that was for sure as he took in her red curls and deep green eyes, not to mention the smattering of freckles that littered her rosy cheeks. When on his ushering duties, which he really hadn't wanted in the first place, he'd seen her nearly stomping into the church he had to see what was going on with her. When he'd grasped her arm, electrical sparks had shimmied up through his nervous system and from that point on he wanted to kiss her.

Sighing, he lay his head in his hands and shook his head furiously. Maybe his braids were too tight, but there was something undeniable about the connection he felt with that woman. Not that he knew her name, or even anything about her, but something in her eyes made him want to hold her and never let go.

"Kent, you giving up on us?" his sister Ivonne's voice floated to him from the doorway of the church.

"No, I'm coming back." he replied, straightening himself out and walking back toward the door.

Ivonne laughed, her eyes sparkling, "Good, Mom was beginning to think that you'd run off with that crazy lady who came burstin' in here."

Kentavious shook his head, "No, I would never do that." Yet his heart screamed, yes you would. Telling it to shut up, he linked his arm with his sister's and walked back into the sanctuary to watch the rest of the wedding unfold.


That's all for chapter 1, let me know what you think!!--Jo