Ethan's POV
I hurried back inside, straightening my tie and rehearsing my speech under my breath. The grand ballroom buzzed with energy. Guests in their finest attire mingled around elegantly decorated tables while waiters weaved through the crowd with champagne trays.
"There you are!" Vivian materialized beside me. "Where have you been? We're about to start!"
"Sorry, got caught up in something." I scanned the room, spotting my friends at their designated table. Ashley gave me an exaggerated thumbs-up while Jacob pretended to faint.
"Focus." Vivian snapped her fingers in front of my face. "You remember your cues?"
"Yes, yes. Walk to the podium when the music starts, thank everyone for coming, introduce grandfather, don't trip on stairs-"
"And?" She tapped her pen impatiently.
"And a
