He did not even glance in her direction.

He swallowed the bite, turned his body around, and called across the hall in a strong voice, “Grandma, this cake is absolutely wonderful!” Grandma stared at him from her table across the dance floor with a stunned expression.

Her mouth opened slightly, but not a single sound came out of her throat.

He placed the dirty spoon down on the cart tray and began walking across the hardwood floor.

Every single one of the one hundred and fifty guests watched him move in complete, breathless silence.