35

XANDER’S POV

I walked gracefully to the podium, my heart pounding with every step. The hall was full and they all knew what I was about to do.

I was going to propose to Sasha Armstrong, and everything was going perfectly. When I got to the podium, I took a deep breath and smiled at the crowd. I picked up the microphone, feeling its weight in my sweaty hands. I was unusually nervous; but maybe this is how every man felt before proposal.

The room quieted down as I began to speak.

“Good evening, everyone,” I said, my voice steady. “Thank you all for being here tonight. It means the world to me that you could join us…”

The faces in the crowd beamed. I saw my mom sitting in the front row, giving me a reassuring nod.

Sasha’s parents were there too, looking proud and hopeful. My friends from college filled the tables, whispering excitedly to each other.

“I have someone very special I want to call up here tonight,” I continued. “Sasha Armstrong, could you please join me?”

The spotlight shift