His mother, Marissa Bennett, had hurried over from the children’s table.
She looked deeply embarrassed.
“Theo, sweetheart, you should have asked Elena before putting her on the spot.”
The boy’s excitement faltered.
“But June wanted to see her dance.”
“That doesn’t mean Elena had to do anything.”
He glanced toward the bride.
“Did I do something bad?”
Elena considered her answer.
The question deserved more than an automatic reassurance.
She’d chosen to stand.
Claire and James had supported her.
Nobody had forced her to rise.
But she also knew how easily a public invitation could become pressure.
Especially when a child was watching with so much hope.
“You surprised me,” Elena said.
Theo looked worried.
“But you didn’t make my decision for me. I decided what I wanted to try.”
He nodded.
She continued.
“Next time, ask someone privately before inviting them to do something difficult in front of everybody.”
Theo looked toward his mother.
“Okay.”
Marissa touched his shoulder.
“And we don’t ask someone to prove what their body can do for us.”
“I wasn’t trying to,” he whispered.
“I know.”
Elena reached out.
“Come here.”
Theo stepped closer.
