You've been saying that for an hour. Eventually I'll be right. Maya smiled. Keep both hands under the tray. I know.
You're holding it with one. Ethan immediately corrected himself. Right. Maya laughed softly. It was the first time that evening she had forgotten Tyler was in the room.
Then Ethan turned. A guest stepped backward without looking. Ethan shifted to avoid him. One glass tipped, sparkling water splashed across the floor and spotted the sleeve of Tyler's blazer as he passed. Everything stopped for Ethan.
Oh man, I'm sorry. Tyler looked at his sleeve. Then at Ethan, you serious? I'll get a towel. Ethan set the tray down quickly.
It was an accident. Tyler stepped closer. Do you know what this jacket cost? Ethan swallowed. No more than you make in a month.
A few guests looked over. Ethan's face reddened. I said, I'm sorry. Tyler smiled. Then say it like you mean it.
Maya had gone still behind the service station. David saw it from the entrance. So did Jason. Ethan looked around. Too many eyes.
Too many expensive suits. Too many people waiting to see whether he would accept being humiliated. I'm sorry, Ethan repeated. Tyler leaned closer. That's better.
He should have stopped there. Instead, he looked around and saw people watching. And Tyler Grant had spent too much of his life learning that an audience was an invitation. He took a napkin from the table and dropped it at Ethan's feet. Clean it.
Ethan stared at him. The floor, you spilled it. One trustee frowned. A faculty member looked toward Dean Miller. Nobody moved.
Ethan bent down. Maya felt something tighten inside her. Not yet. She could almost hear Walter know the difference between insult and danger. Ethan reached for the napkin.
Tyler nudged it farther away with his shoe. A few athletes laughed. Ethan froze. Maya set down the pitcher she was holding. Then Linda Hayes appeared from near the kitchen doors.
Linda had volunteered to help Second Table provide additional serving staff for the reception. At 68, she moved more slowly than most of the younger workers. But she carried herself with the calm authority of someone who had spent decades refusing to be impressed by expensive clothes. That's enough, Linda said. Tyler turned.
Excuse me? He apologized. Linda stepped toward Ethan. Let the young man do his job. Tyler laughed.