To his credit, Nick understands that it isn’t a question. He bows and takes his hands off my wife, and he is young and bashful after all. Good on him to take the moment by the balls, but now his moment is over. I grab Elizabeth’s waist and let the room explode with cheers and whistles. As if I’d fired the gun that says go, couples flood the floor for one last slow dance before driving home drunk to pay babysitters on time, or to gossip about who did what when, who looked different and why, how the food was, how the band was, who should be nominated next year, and who should win. Every man will elect himself, and tonight, when they watch their own wives crawl into bed, they’ll wonder if Elizabeth Hart sleeps in stained T-shirts and cotton briefs too, but I’ll be the only one who knows unequivocally that no, she does not.

“I see Ray’s here,” Elizabeth acknowledges. She smiles, as if this pleases her. Anyone watching us now would think we’re talking about someone she likes. “Did you two have a nice chat?”

“He is and we did,” I say. “It was good of him to come.”

“So good. Any lewd comments worth reporting, or is the night still young?”

“Nothing to report,” I lie. “He’s on his best behavior.” Raymond is still leaning against the bar, sipping gin and watching us dance. Elizabeth and I nod in his direction. He raises his glass. Here, here. “See? Perfect gentleman.”

“A regular Prince Charming.” She kisses me on the mouth. Somewhere behind me, a camera flash flares.

“He liked your speech,” I tell her as she twirls out, then back, settling into the nook where my neck and shoulder meet.

“Your speech,” she corrects.

“Said it nearly made him cry.”

“Gauche and sensitive, is he? What a special man.”

“He said the part about my wife being my rock gave him a hard-on.”

She slides her cheek away from mine and gives me that look, and she knows what she’s doing with her little smile, those sleepy eyes. “You liked that, did you?”

With one strong hand on her back and another at her waist, I pull her body closer, pressing her hips into mine. “Yes. I did.” I delight in her act of discovery.

“Wow,” she says. “Everyone’s hot for my speech tonight, huh?”

“My speech,” I whisper.

She brings her lips to my ear and whispers back, “Song’s almost over. You’d better put that thing away.”

2.

The evening ended peacefully enough. Guests echoed their congratulations. Ray disappeared without saying good-bye. I spoke to a reporter from the local paper who asked for additional remarks now that the event was over. I reiterated gratitude and humility and great happiness. My erection went unnoticed.