Andrew just went from person to person at the dining table, offering a toast in turn and then inquiring about Madeleine's hobbies from what they said. Finally, he extended his glass to Howard Coleman, "Mr. Coleman, hearing from Madeleine, you must be the most familiar with her. Surely you know best what Madeleine likes, right?"
Howard stared at the glass Andrew offered him, not moving for a long while.
Here he was, about to propose to the woman he loved, yet he had to ask him—the man who loved her—what she liked?
As the others at the table provided their answers, it felt as though each was a knife stabbing into his heart, and now he had come to ask him...
Seeing that Howard had not reacted for quite some time, Andrew continued with a smile and repeated his question.
Howard still sat motionless, until Steve discreetly kicked him under the table. Howard then snapped back to reality and abruptly stood up, leaving the table with the words, "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."
