When a loving wife encounters her favorite movie star, should her husband worry?
This is a flash story about such an encounter.
"Wow, this was such a great idea," Amy said as she leaned onto her husband's arm, with a hand lightly rubbing his back. The meal was fabulous and this small orchestra sounds so romantic. Dancing with you is like floating around the room."
"Well, it was a rough winter, and Bill and I thought you ladies deserved a night out on the town. We made the reservations four weeks ago."
"It's a good thing you told me about it last week so I could get a new dress."
"You look spectacular in that red dress," John said and then leaned in and whispered, "but I can't wait to see you out of it."
Amy laughed, "Yeah, well, what little I have on under this dress cost you almost as much as the dress, so I hope you like it."
John stood and escorted Amy back out onto the dance floor. His peripheral vision caught all the stares from the other men as she navigated past a few tables. John was no fool, he knew his bride would likely be the most attractive woman in any room. Thirty-two and the mother of twin eight-year-old boys, Amy still had the figure of a co-ed, and her flawless complexion and radiant smile were a sight to behold.
As John expertly twirled Amy around the dance floor, her eyes twinkled with delight as she smiled at her loving husband. They were the very definition of a "handsome couple."
The loving couple was distracted by some commotion as a small group of people were seated near the bandstand. After a few spins around the room, Amy whispered into John's ear. "Oh my gosh, that's Marcus Washington! I knew he was in town for the Governors Charity Ball, but I never expected to actually see him!"
John turned his head and then looked back at his wife. "Yep, that's Washington. I thought he was shooting a movie in New York."
"No, that wrapped two weeks ago, I can't wait to see it! My god, he's so beautiful!"
"Down Girl! You're talking to your husband, remember?"
"Sorry, Baby, but you know how much I adore him."
"Yeah, you remind me of that every time you see him on TV."
John was suddenly aware he was no longer leading and Amy was stirring them closer to Washington's table. "Babe, you better not be planning to get any closer, the bouncers are watching us." John dead-panned.
He turned his head to see that Amy had made eye contact with Washington and he was giving her his world-famous smile. John quickly twirled Amy back toward the center of the dance floor. Unfortunately, the twirl put Amy and her red dress on full display for Mr. Washington. His world-famous smile broadened as his eyes drank in the view.
The music stopped and John guided Amy toward their table. Once there, the other three ladies in their party erupted into girlish chatter about the movie star across the room.
John rolled his eyes at Bill, Steve, and Dan. He signaled the waiter for another round of drinks and marveled at the silliness of the four mature, adult women at his table. The drinks arrived, and he had just taken a small sip of his Gin & Tonic when Gale gasped and stared over his shoulder. The other women fell quiet and John felt a presence behind him.
"Hello, you folks seem to really be enjoying yourselves this evening," Washington said in his smooth baritone voice. He turned to John and said, "I was quite impressed with your moves on the dance floor. I was hoping you'd grant me the opportunity to dance with your lovely partner."
John was completely relaxed, "He casually studied Washington and then said. Thank you for being such a gentleman, but that decision is entirely my wife's. ... Amy?"
Amy looked up into the warm brown eyes of the movie star she always swooned over. Slowly she stood and took his outstretched hand. The envious eyes of every woman in the room followed them as he led her to the dance floor.
The music started and they came together. He held her loosely as they began to move around the room. For the first several moments no one else ventured onto the dance floor, then slowly a few couples joined them.
As the dance progressed, Washington pulled her a little closer and whispered into her ear, "You are truly beautiful. When I saw your husband twirl you, I was captivated by your grace and style. He is truly the luckiest man here tonight."
Amy leaned back and looked into his eyes. She half expected to see a smarmy smirk, but she saw only sincerity in his handsome face. "Thank you, Mr. Washington, I am very flattered by your kind words."
"Please, call me Marcus, it's what all my friends call me," he said and then twirled her away.
The song was ending, but the band immediately shifted to another song. Amy started to step back, but Marcus held her and said, "Please, just one more song?" Amy paused, looked over his shoulder, and then allowed herself to be pulled into a tighter embrace.
John watched Washington ask Amy for one more dance and gave her a quick nod when she glanced his way. He knew she was thrilled to be dancing with her movie idol and he could grant her this indulgence.
