“I feel bad for her! Don’t y’all?” I said. “This night is supposed to be her dream come true! Now, go to her, like good boys, and see if there’s anything y’all can do! Offer to get her a glass of water. Hurry up!”

They scurried away and I turned back to Leslie, who was standing with a very tall woman with large hands. She had on a long blond wig, a blue silk dress, pumps, tons of jewelry, thick eyelashes, and enough makeup to put Estée Lauder right into a coma. I looked again and recognized her. Him. Oh, God. I nearly fainted.

“Hello, Holly,” said a familiar voice.

“Well, hi there yourself, Charlie,” I said. “What a, um, surprise!”

It was my brother-in-law. In full female regalia.

“I guess this makes us wedding crashers,” Leslie said, eaten up alive with giggles. “Can I get anyone a drink?”

“Yes, anything with alcohol would be perfect,” I said, unable to take my eyes off Charlie.

“I’d like a cosmo, if they can manage it,” Charlie said.

“Well, this isn’t Vegas, but the Lowcountry can hold her own in the booze department. I’m pretty sure about that.”

Just then the photographer appeared with Archie by her side.

“I wanted to be sure I had a picture of us,” he said. “And the boys. Where are they? They were supposed to follow me over here.” His eyes found Charlie, and his surprise was obvious. “Do I know you?”

“Yes, you do! I’m Leslie’s husband.” He extended his hand for Archie to shake and Archie shook it soundly. “And tonight, I’m Charlene.”

Not to me, you’re not, I thought. I was a little confused.

“Well, I’ll be damned. Charlene,” Archie said. “Of course, you are.” He turned to the photographer. “Can we get a picture of the three of us?”

“I hope you don’t mind that I stopped in,” Charlie said. “I came to the island to surprise Leslie. I want her to come with me, back to Vegas.”

“And I’ll bet you surprised her, all right,” I said.

“No, I’m delighted to see you,” Archie said, smiling.

We stood together and smiled, and the photographer snapped several pictures.

“Thank you. I should probably go help Leslie with the drinks,” Charlie said and walked in the direction of the bar.

“Terrible thing about the seagulls and all,” I said. “Is Sharon okay?”

“Oh, sure. She’s fine. Luckily, she has another dress. She went inside to change.”

“So, when do y’all leave? I mean, what time? I know it’s in the morning.”

“At ten. Holly, I need to say something.”

I could feel the electricity between us. It was as real and as powerful as anything I’d ever felt.

“No, you don’t. You just go and have a great time in Bermuda and don’t worry about a thing.”