He smiled even bigger and backed away while adding a whispered, “You’re welcome.”
This clown thinks he’s a matchmaker or something, I thought to myself as I smiled just a little. Even though Terrell’s incessant nosiness was annoying as hell, he was responsible for breaking the mile-thick ice between AJ and me.
I finished my food, still wondering what the heck I was supposed to say in front of all these people. Hopefully AJ would go first and I could just make my toast short and sweet after his.
The hostesses cleared our plates and it was time for our speeches. The emcee introduced AJ as the best man and I breathed a sigh of relief as the spotlight drifted toward him and he accepted the mic. Standing there with all eyes on him, he was the picture of confidence. That tux fit him just right and I was glad that I finally had an excuse to stare at him.
My god, this man is gorgeous.
Dripping enough swag and charisma to make any woman swoon, AJ flashed his award-winning smile to the audience, and began to speak.
“First, I’d like to say that, if someone had asked me five years ago if I’d be standing here by this man’s side as his best man, I would’ve never believed it.”
The crowd laughed softly.
“Terrell and I got off to a bit of a rough start, but now? He’s one of the best friends a guy could have.” When he placed his hand on Terrell’s shoulder, Maisha smiled. “I was honored when he asked me to be his best man. Truly, I was, but not only because I value our friendship so much. I was honored because it’s not every day that you see a couple with this much love, this devoted to one another, with this much fight in them. I wanted to be a part of their day because I admire what they have and I don’t count it a small thing that they made it. Through every up, every down, through all the tears, all the storms, all of it. They made it. ”
I lowered my head when he took the speech in this direction.
“If any couple deserves to get their ‘happily ever after’, it’s these two. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart. So…to Terrell and Maisha…may this be the first of many celebrations of your love and of your lifelong union.” AJ held up his glass of Champagne toward the audience. “Cheers.”
“Cheers,” the crowd repeated followed by a round of applause.
How the hell do I top that?
The emcee announced that I was next and I took a deep breath while getting to my feet. The mic screeched loudly which only rattled my nerve even more.