Rogue Beast (The Rourkes #12) - Kylie Gilmore Page 0,22

living speaking in front of the camera. But that’s all pretend. This is the real me—an awkward bundle of nerves.

“Should I get you some wine?” he asks.

I shake my head. “I’ll be a drunken shit show up there if I have even one glass. I’m really careful to eat healthy and only have a glass of red wine once a week with steak. You know, for health reasons.”

“What would help?”

“Someone else doing this?” My voice hits a high note.

He takes my hand in his larger one and gives it a gentle squeeze. “Sweetheart, this is a cause you believe in. All you have to do is tell them why. Then every single one of the potential donors sitting here tonight will open their hearts and their wallets.”

I glance at the sea of faces out there waiting to hear my speech. The sophisticated, wealthy elite in their finest formal wear. I’m supposed to motivate them to the cause. Carol should be doing this speech! She’s the one who did all the hard behind-the-scenes work. I suck in air, my breath coming in short pants.

A giant screen unfolds behind us. They’re going to project my image up there so everyone can see me up close, a quivering leaf.

I grab my cards and force myself to read slowly enough to comprehend.

“Is that big screen there so they can see you, or is there a film or something?” Garrett asks.

I don’t look up from the cards. “Just me.”

“Be right back.”

My eyes widen. He’s leaving me alone here? I didn’t realize how much his quiet presence was holding the panic at bay. I break out in a cold sweat. “Where’re you going?”

“I’m just gonna ask Carol a question. I’ll be right back, promise.”

I nod like a bobblehead doll. Right back. He’ll be right back. “Okay.”

Back to my cards. A bead of sweat runs down my forehead, and I brush it away before it can land on my cards and blur the ink.

I hear the mike at the podium being adjusted. Carol’s up there. I swallow hard. It’s time.

Oh, Garrett’s back, sitting next to me. He looks so calm. I stare at him, trying to soak in that calm. He smiles, but I can’t manage to smile back. My lips feel numb.

Carol speaks with great confidence and enthusiasm. “Harper Ellis is our celebrity ambassador and so much more. She’s been with us since we were a single office in LA when she was a teen. She gave generously from the start. As her career gained momentum, so has her generosity. Tonight we honor her with our lifetime supporter award for her part in helping our organization grow. We’re now global and reaching so many people in need of loving companionship and assistive living skills.”

She gestures for me to come up. Polite applause breaks out. I stand abruptly and stride on stiff legs to the podium.

Carol aims a small remote at her laptop, glances over my shoulder, and returns to her seat. The audience awws in unison, staring at the large screen behind me.

I glance over, my lips parting in surprise. There’s a picture of a pack of golden retriever puppies. My heart rate slows to a normal beat, taking in those adorable dogs. That’s what’s at the heart of this important cause. Puppies just like them will be loved in their foster homes, trained for important work, and provide years of unconditional love to people who need them. One day I hope to have a golden retriever of my own.

My hand goes to my heart as understanding dawns. I beam a smile at Garrett. It was him! I told him earlier that I wanted a golden retriever. That’s why he left to see Carol. He asked her to put that picture up there, knowing it would put me at ease and draw the audience’s attention to the puppies instead of me.

He smiles back, and it’s like a warm hug wrapping around me.

Thank you, I mouth silently.

He nods once and gestures for me to continue. I take a deep breath before turning back to the audience. I hold up my index cards. “I don’t need these. I’m just going to speak from the heart and tell you why I love Best Friends Care, and hopefully you’ll see why you should too.”

And I do. My heart’s in my throat as I share about my uncle, and then I return my gaze to the puppies for a calming moment before describing all the admiration I feel for what Best