“Are you with me?” Owen asked from his perch on the stool next to Evan’s.

“Oh, yeah, sorry.”

Owen laughed in his face. “You’re a mess.”

“I’m anxious to get on with it.”

Owen looked over his shoulder to see the sun heading toward the horizon in a fiery ball that gilded the surface of the crystal-blue water. “Won’t be long now, and from the looks of things, it’ll be worth the wait.”

“Means a lot to me that you’re here, and singing with me, and everything.”

“I’d be so bummed if I were at home missing it.”

“Does that mean you’ve come around to enjoying the getaway with your wife?”

“Well, except for the part where she’s giving me the deep freeze thanks to your stupid brother and his big ideas.”

Evan tossed his head back and laughed. “I’ve got the most pissed-off and horny group of groomsmen.”

“I’m never listening to Mac again. Ever.”

Still laughing, Evan said, “Let’s go through it one more time.”

Playing ukuleles, they went over their rendition of Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s “Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” medley, singing in perfect harmony, as always. They’d practiced as often as they could over the last few days, and exchanged smiles as it came together just the way Evan had envisioned. Grace had left the music to his discretion. He wanted it to be special for her, and having Owen there with him made it special for him, too.

When they finished that, they practiced Evan’s number-one hit song, “My Amazing Grace,” before declaring themselves good to go. The rehearsal had been a formality, something to kill the time. He and Owen could play together in public on a moment’s notice without so much as a minute of rehearsal.

They stashed their instruments and went to make sure the other guys were getting ready on schedule. On the way to the villa where they were meeting the others, they ran into Big Mac. Evan’s dad wore the same white linen shirt and khaki pants as the guys in the wedding party.

“Was wondering where you two had gotten off to,” Big Mac said.

“One last sound check on the beach,” Evan said.

“Owen, would you mind giving me one minute with my son?” Big Mac asked.

“Of course not. I’ll see you back at the house.”

“We’ll be right along,” Big Mac said. “And Owen? It wouldn’t have been the same for Evan without you here.”

“I’m glad Laura manipulated me into coming,” Owen said with a grin before he left them.

Evan stood with his dad on the expansive boardwalk that looked out over the water. “You’re not going to make me cry like a little girl or anything, are you?”

“Would I do that?” Big Mac asked.

Evan laughed at his indignant reply. “Yeah, you would.”