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I shake my head in the negative. “I don’t want to see Blu. He’ll think I came here to win him back. For the record, I didn’t come here to get him back. It was all about revenge. Stupid impulsive revenge.”

I don’t want it anymore. I think revenge is the emptiest feeling in the world. It achieves nothing except making you feel horrible about yourself. Mission accomplished. I feel like an idiot.

“How about a dance right here?” Slade suggests, his gaze penetrating.

The music from the reception is just barely loud enough for us to enjoy a few dances.

“I would love that.”

Slade takes me in his arms at last. He wraps me tightly in his embrace as we begin to sway to the music. I nuzzle my head on his chest, loving the way we fit together. I forget about Blu. My thoughts are only of Slade. This is where I belong. He is my home. My heart.

“This is all I want in life,” he breathes into my ear. “You in my arms.”

“You’re my happy place.” This is not a flirting fail. I’m not joking around. Perhaps love makes fools of us all. I’m beyond caring. I’m in love, and I’ll always express it in many different ways.

“You’re happy. The blue man is happy. All is right with the world.” Slade kisses my neck, sending shivers up my spine.

“Um, I’m not sure how happy he’ll be.” Since the moment I’d witnessed it, I’ve been dying to tell Slade. I know he’ll find it just as enlightening as I did. Maybe a little bit amusing.

“How so?” he says in my ear. I love having his deep voice in my ear again.

“After the wedding, the bride and groom were visiting with their guests. Blu was speaking with a young lady.”

I’d studied him and realized my mom was right. Blu’s lips are puckered and pinched like he just ate a lemon. He’s an unhappy man. Even at his own wedding. I felt nothing but sorrow for him.

My imagination made him into things he wasn’t. I didn’t pay enough attention to reality. My bad.

“Uh-oh. I see where this is going.” Slade can predict the outcome easily.

“Yep. All of a sudden this shrill voice shouted, Shane! That’s his real name. Evidently, his new bride doesn’t use his nickname like every single person he knows.”

“How do you get blue man from Shane?” Slade asks.

“His last name is Blumefield. That’s where Blu comes from.”

“Oh. With that logic, my nickname should be Sher. Like the singer, but spelled differently. It could be my only name. I’ll have it changed legally. No more last name for me.”

I bury my head in Slade’s shoulder, muffling my laughter. “Anyway, Blu startled as though someone just blew a whistle in his ear. I mean, he looked genuinely scared. Then his bride grabbed his hand and said, What are you doing? Comeover here with me. This is our wedding. You’re supposed to stay by me the entire time. Don’t leave me again.”

Slade releases a surprised huff. “Whoa. Poor guy. Have a nice life, buddy.”

“That wasn’t the moment I felt peace over the whole thing.” I kiss Slade on the lips. “But it helped.”

“I’m sure it did.” Slade pulls me closer, content to hold me while we slow dance.

Several songs later, we’re still dancing, practically one in the corner of the gazebo. I love every moment. As far as I’m concerned, this is heaven.

As the current song comes to an end, Slade backs up and holds my hands. “Ready to blow this joint?”

Even in a tux, those words fit Slade.

“Wait, aren’t you dying in that tux?” I’m surprised he’s not sweating bullets.

“It’s not too bad at this time of the evening.” He smiles his crooked smile. “Okay, without the ocean breeze, I’d be dead. What can I say? I had to look good for my girl.”

Me. That’s me. I’m his girl. He dressed in a tux just for me. Happiness engulfs me.

“Where do you want to go?” I ask.

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