Page 93 of His Curvy Distraction

Natalie shrugged. “Amelia has been keeping track of everything, mostly. Last I saw her, we were about halfway there.”

“That’s great news! Hudson has a microphone for you,” Daisy said.

“For what?” Natalie screeched.

“Um, you’re supposed to give a short speech, hun. Thank everyone for coming and tell them what you’re using the money for.”

Natalie shook her head as Daisy spoke. “No. I can’t do it. No. No. I’ll make a fool of myself. I’ve already been talking to people all night, and I told one couple they should have a party in their shower, and I told another man he should work on making some kids so they can come to my camp. I can’t talk to people.”

“Yes, you can, Natalie. This is your night. You have been doing amazing. This is going to be nothing for you,” Daisy encouraged.

“No. Daisy, I can’t. I can’t. I need a break. I can’t do it. I can’t get up in front of everyone and talk. I can’t breathe. I can’t—” Natalie wheezed, sucking in air and pushing it out quickly. Her eyes were wide with fear. She clutched her throat, clawing at it. Panic was all over her.

“Let’s go,” I said, grabbing Natalie’s arm. “Delay,” I told Daisy.

Natalie let me pull her toward the exit and push her outside. She continued to struggle to get air, even though we were outside.

I steered her a few feet away from the door, away from the crowd spilling out of the bar. I pushed her head down, encouraging her to put her hands on her knees. I rubbed her back and hunched down beside her.

“In, two, three, four. Breathe with me, Natalie. Out, two, three, four. Inhale, two, three, four. Good. Better. Exhale, two, three, four.”

She took over, breathing without the prompt from me. Her body shook less and her breathing was more controlled and less panicked.

“Take your time.”

“I can’t do it, Omar. I can’t talk to all those people,” she said, the panic inching into her voice again.

“Keep breathing for me, Natalie.” I waited for her to inhale a deep breath and let it out again before I continued. “You don’t have to give a speech.”

She jerked upright. “Yes, I do. You heard Daisy. All those people. They’re there. And they’re donating all this money. They’re supporting my summer camp. They’re doing all this, and I have to say something.”

“What’s the worst thing that happens if you don’t?”

She inhaled sharply. “I can’t. I can’t stay out here and not say something.”

“What if I say something instead?”

“What do you mean? Why would you do that? Would you do that?”

I shrugged. “If you want me to, absolutely. I know what the money is going to be used for. I know what you’re doing at the summer camp. I know how important it is. I might as well use my position as the mayor for something.”

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

“Sweetheart, I don’t mind talking to a group of people. It doesn’t bother me. I’m used to addressing a crowd. If you want to do it, I will not tell you not to. I know you can go in there and you can say what you want to say and you can make it amazing. I know you are articulate and intelligent, and you can do anything. I know it. All I’m saying is if you’re dead set against it, if you’re going to have a panic attack again, I will help you. But I believe in you.”

Natalie shook her head. “I don’t know if I can do it.”

“I do,” I said simply. “I know you can do it.”

She looked up at me, her hazel eyes trusting and anxious. “How do you know?”

I tucked her hair behind her ear and cupped her jaw. “Because I’ve seen you in action. I’ve watched you challenge me, handle contractors, and take on a building full of kids. That last one would scare almost any of the people in that bar, but you do it with ease and grace. Every single person inside is here because they believe in you. They want to see you succeed. They’re not here to boo you or tell you that you’re not good enough. We all know you are the perfect woman to run this camp and to make the old campground amazing.”

“There’s no such thing as perfect,” Natalie said wryly.

I smiled. The panic in her eyes was almost gone. “Maybe not, but you are definitely the best person to be taking this on. And we all know it. You care, Natalie. You adore what you do. You want this project to be a success. And you will do anything to make sure that it is. Even if it means facing your fears and standing up in front of all those people and telling them you’re grateful for their support.”

“Will you go with me?”

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