“I am, too, but it’s for the best. She’s getting what she needs, and we’ll see her tomorrow.” They were spending tonight in the honeymoon suite at the Beachcomber before heading for the mainland to see Marion on their way to a honeymoon in Hawaii.

He had, at some point in the last few days, come around to accepting the fact that it truly was in Marion’s best interest to move her into the facility where she could receive more intense care. It pained them, however, that Marion’s move had put Hope out of a job. They’d come to care for her and Ethan tremendously, and it would be hard to say good-bye to them when they left the island.

“I feel so sad for Hope,” Jenny said, her gaze finding their new friend sitting at a table full of friends but seeming so painfully alone.

“Don’t feel too sad,” Alex said. “Paul’s going to pop the question tonight.”

“Oh my God! He is? Really?”

“Yep.”

“Hmm.”

“What?”

“It’s just… What she said that day… How she’d never get married again. He heard her say that, right?”

“Yeah, he did, but he’s going to ask her anyway.”

“Why do I suddenly feel insanely nervous for him?”

“He’s nervous enough for all of us.”

“What if she says no?”

“Then we’ll prop him up as best we can and get him through it.”

“God, I hope she says yes.”

“Me, too.”

Paul took the microphone that Lizzie handed him and made a big production of clearing his throat to get the happy couple to stop kissing long enough for him to do his duty as best man. “If you crazy kids could come up for air for a few minutes, the best man has a few words he’d like to say.”

Alex rolled his eyes and signaled for him to proceed.

“On behalf of Alex and Jenny, I’d like to welcome you to their wedding. It’s a day we’ve all looked forward to since last summer, when Jenny and Alex met during the hottest stretch of weather we’ve had here in decades. They’ve been hot and bothered ever since.” The line drew a big laugh, especially from the bride and groom. “And trust me, I know. I’ve had the misfortune of living right next door to them, and I’ve learned to sleep with headphones and music. Loud music.” More laughs.