Mr. Wright & Mr. Wrong: A BWWM Romance
Page 23
With that, she grabbed both Wright brothers by the arm and led them away, as their dates followed.
Frank stared after them with a frown until Estelle led him away.
Brooklyn and London just looked at each other, gave a small laugh, and followed their poor dates to save them from their grandma.
The room was decorated in pinks and purples. Alnita was probably pleased to see the Jeffersons “representing.” They had borrowed their wedding colors from the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
Right now the room was silent as Frank stood up with a glass of champagne in one hand and a microphone in the other. The two Jefferson girls sat at the front table with their dates and looked up to pay attention with everyone else in the room, as their father began to speak.
“It was 37 years ago that my buddy, Robert” her dad lifted his glass to an old college friend across the room, “invited me to a party off campus at Morehouse. I was just glad to get away from the strict rules of the campus. It didn’t hurt that he promised there would be plenty of Spelmanites in attendance,” he laughed.
“Well, I walked in the front door of that house and it was as though Cupid hit me right through the heart. Estelle was standing there. I still remember to this day, exactly what she was wearing. That short yellow skirt showing off legs that will probably give me a heart attack as I think about them about right now.”
Estelle gave an embarrassed smile as the crowd chuckled.
“And that pink blouse with the flowers. You had this white headband on.” He looked down at her. “But it was that smile that I focused on more than anything. Unfortunately, it was pointed in the direction of another boy.
“Now, most of you who know me, know I’m not usually very shy,” the chuckles this time were much louder. Even Frank laughed at himself. “But that night, you could have knocked me over with a feather I was so terrified to approach her. I kept casting glances her way, hoping she’d take her eyes off these other men, surrounding her like moths to the beautiful flame that she was.”
There were a few awwwws of appreciation. London smiled down into her lap.
“Finally she looked my way and our eyes connected. For me it was like a lightning bolt through the heart. I suppose for Estelle it was just another Joe Blow ogling her from across the room, because all she did was frown at me.”
Michael reached a hand underneath the table to grab one of London’s hands in his. They both knew how the story ended, and the similarities between Frank and Estelle’s meeting and their own couldn’t be denied. She looked up at him and saw him staring at her, thinking the same thing.
“Well, fortunately that bolt of lightning was enough to spur me into action. I walked right across the room and approached her and gave, probably the world’s cheesiest pick up line: ‘Do I know you from somewhere?’”
The audience laughed. Michael just squeezed London’s hand as they both laughed along with the crowd.
“But really, I had to know what that frown was about. And Estelle, cool as a polar bear’s toenail,” he looked down at his wife with admiration, “just responded: well, the way you’ve been staring at me all night, you sure act like you do.
“Now, here’s the part where you won’t believe me, and don’t ask me how I became such a poet. It really must have been Cupid’s bow. Quick as a whip I responded: How could I have possibly approached you, when there are no words in the English language beautiful enough to be worthy of your attention.”
There was another round of awwwws.
“Now, I’m about to out Estelle as the sassy Miss Thang that she really is, underneath that sophisticated exterior. But she leans right in and says to me with a smirk: so try French.”
Laughter erupted around the room.
“Well, folks. I took it a bit too literally and embarrassed myself. Maybe it was the beer I had been drinking but I leaned right in and stole a kiss. Not French exactly. At any rate, that earned me a nice little slap, in front of everyone.” He laughed and everyone in the room joined.
On the other side of the table, Alex reached out to grab Brooklyn’s hand as they both laughed, though theirs held its own little meaning. She looked over at him and was rewarded with a conspiratorial wink.
“The funny part was, I wasn’t even embarrassed. That kiss had been worth it. And if we’re being totally honest, I think Estelle felt the same way since by the end of the night, me having overcome my shyness…I finally convinced her to let me walk her back to campus.
“Well, that was our beginning,” he said, beaming down at her as she glowed right back up to him, “and here we are, 35 years after taking our vows, still going strong. And just in case you’re wondering, her legs still leave me breathless.” There was a ripple of laughter
“Estelle, you are still the beautiful flame that lights up my life. You’ve given me three wonderful children and 35 wonderful years as my loving wife. This night I dedicate to you, my beautiful bride.”
He raised his glass to her and drank, everyone in the room doing the same. Then he reached out a hand to her, which she took and stood up next to him. Then they kissed.
There was a boisterous round of applause as everyone stood to honor the couple. As it died down, two specific couples seated at the table near them took the moment to look at one another, reminiscing about their own inauspicious beginnings.
The night had gone just wright. Or right. Either way…it was perfect.
Afterword
Thank you for reading the first book in the 2-part Wright-Jefferson series. I hope you enjoyed it!
Book 2 should be coming out in early October 2016.
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