The last row of guests having been dismissed, the staff began clearing the chairs away to set up the tables for dinner. Missy appeared with a tissue and pressed powder to give Grace a touch-up. “Now you know how I feel on the set between takes,” I chided as Missy fussed over her. “Want a job, Missy?”

She smirked as she dabbed Grace’s nose. “Thanks, but no. I don’t relish the idea of applying makeup to people all day. Especially guys. No offense.”

“None taken, believe me. Wish I could get around it.”

“Anything else you need, girl?” she asked Grace as she snapped the compact shut.

“Nope, I’m good—oh wait, yes there is.” There was a gleam in her eye. We both saw it and laughed. “Hey!” she protested. “Quit laughing, it’s a serious request.”

“Anything for my married friend,” Missy quipped.

“Okay. It’s easy, really. Just keep people happy till we get back.”

I looked at her in confusion. “We’re going somewhere?” She raised her eyebrows at me. “Ah, we’re going somewhere. Gotcha.”

Missy laughed and saluted. “Consider it done. Don’t ruin your dress.” She winked and moved quickly toward the stairs leading to the balcony.

I turned to my wife and pushed back a stray lock of hair. “So where are we going all of a sudden?” I teased in a knowing voice.

She smirked and lightly smacked my arm. “Now don’t get any ideas, there’s no time for that.” She hooked her arm through mine and led me toward the bridge. “I just wanted a moment away from the crowd to be with my husband.”

“Now, would that phrase ‘be with’ have any other, more biblical meaning, by any chance?”

She threw her head back and laughed, a sound that was like music to me. I couldn’t believe how much I loved this woman.

“No! Not”—she added quickly—“that I wouldn’t want to skip the rest of this fiesta and get on with the more private festivities, believe me. But when you factor in dinner with sixty people afterward, it’s just not as appealing.”

I frowned and nodded. “Ah, yes, I see the logic of that. A bit awkward.” I pulled her in through the cottage door, out of sight, and kissed her with more passion than I’d felt free to exhibit in the ceremony. “But I’m going to find it awfully hard to make conversation with those people for four more hours,” I murmured after.

A slow smile crept across her face. “If you do, I’ll make it worth your while.”

I laughed and kissed her again. “Deal.”