Not Quite A Bride by Kirsten Sawyer Page A

actor!” I whisper in his ear.
    Justin laughs a little and smiles warmly at me. “It’s not really acting—I do think you’re great ... I’m just embellishing.”
    We dance quietly for a few minutes and let me tell you, Justin makes Brad seem like he has two left feet. Forget attending cotillion—Justin must have been professionally trained.
    â€œYou’re an amazing dancer, too.”
    â€œJust another perk of having a gay boyfriend.”
    We both chuckle, just a little.
    â€œOh, I forgot to tell you. ‘Just the Way You Look Tonight’ is our song, ’kay?”
    â€œWhen did we decide that? Your mom asked me why I was letting Brad steal you away for our song and I was so confused ... I thought I remembered all the details we decided on.”
    â€œWe didn’t,” I admit. “I just got a little carried away and told everyone.”
    â€œThat’s okay,” he laughs, “I did that, too. I told your sister I’m into yoga, which I am, but then I added that I’ve been giving you lessons and now she wants to join us. So, I’ll have to show you some yoga moves this week.”
    â€œOkay,” I agree. “I’ve always wanted to try yoga anyway.”
    For the rest of the evening, Justin waits on me hand and foot. That is, when he’s not dancing with my mother (since my father refuses) or my sister (since she complains too much about Bryan’s dancing so he won’t go near her on a dance floor). I dance with Bryan (he’s no Justin ... he’s not even a Brad, but we have fun), hang out at the bar in the restaurant’s front area with my dad where he has managed to, as always, find a television playing sports, and get to wave at Brad from across the room twice. The dinner is good, and the wine is a bit too free-flowing.
    By the end of the evening, I’m quite tipsy. I kiss my family and friends good-bye, Justin kisses all the girls (on the cheek, of course), and shakes hands with all the men. It is clear that he has won everyone over ... even my dad! I go to say good-bye to Brad while Justin makes plans to get together with everyone over the next couple weeks. I finally find Brad, totally hammered, at the bar.
    â€œHey, we’re leaving.”
    â€œNO! Don’t go. Don’t leave me.”
    â€œYou’re smashed, my friend. When can you get outta here?”
    â€œI dunno.” His chin drops down to his chest. “I hate this shit.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThese fake events, all these fake people.”
    I feel my cheeks flush as he emphasizes “fake.” Little does he know, I am quickly becoming the queen of it.
    â€œYou’d better get used to it—it’s preparation for the wedding.”
    He looks up, into my eyes, “I love you, Molly.”
    â€œI love you, too, Bradley. Drink lots of water tonight, okay? I’ll call you tomorrow.”
    â€œNo, Molly ... wait.”
    I giggle for a second at his drunken slurring. “It was a lovely engagement party,” I lie through my teeth.
    For a second I think Brad looks crestfallen ... I swear, that woman is squashing his spirit. I kiss him on the head and head toward the door.
    â€œMolly!” he calls after me and I turn around, “Just be careful.”
    â€œDon’t worry, silly.”
    I turn back and Justin is waiting for me at the door, waving at Brad. Brad gives him a kind of drunken wave/send-off and Justin and I leave the party, holding hands.
    In the cab on the way home, Justin can’t stop talking about how great everyone is. And he has made plans for us to go out with just about everyone in the coming weeks! He bonded with my mom over dancing, Jamie over teaching prenatal yoga, and even Bryan over eating paste in third grade! I can’t help but beam at him.
    I’ve never had a straight boyfriend that my family loved so much!
    We laugh and recount all the funny anecdotes of the evening