Page 45 of Unforgotten

“Well, it’s how I feel.”

“I’m aware. And ... here we are.”

As they turned the corner, she gasped. A crowd of easily fifty people stood around a podium with a big banner proclaiming “CANDACE EVANS, MISS CRITTENDENCOUNTY.” Would she ever get used to people being so interested in meeting her? “Wow.”

He chuckled.

As the woman who organized the event approached them with a big smile on her face, Candace pressed her lips together. She hoped that would give them a little color, because she’d been so focused on her conversation with Ryan that she’d forgotten to look in the visor mirror to check her hair and lipstick.

“Do I look okay?” she whispered as she kind of bared her teeth. “Please tell me I don’t have anything in my teeth.”

“You have nothing in your teeth.” Leaning closer, Ryan added, “You look as gorgeous as you always do. Go get ’em, tiger.”

“Thanks.”

“Hi, Candace, I’m Jennifer Martin,” the woman introduced herself. “Community Relations Director for the mall.”

Candace held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Martin. Thank you for having me.”

“We’re planning for you to speak for fifteen minutes. We’d like you to lightly discuss your platform about literacy and supporting victims of violence.” Lowering her voice, she added, “Please keep in mind the wide age range of the crowd. Don’t say anything too intense or alarming.”

There were lots of little girls aged ten and under in the crowd. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Oh, and if you wouldn’t mind, please share a couple of beauty tips.”

“Of course.”

Jennifer pointedly looked at the top of her head. “Where’s your crown?”

“Oh.” She hadn’t put that on either. “My escort has it. Ryan, could you get something for me?”

He’d been looking at his phone, but his head popped up. “What do you need?”

“I need my crown.”

“Oh, sorry.” He opened the tote bag he’d carried in for her, pulled out the container holding the crown, and opened it for her.

Wishing she had a mirror, she smoothed back her hair, then placed the crown on her head, situating it so the two small combs at its base held it securely. “Does this look all right?” she asked Jennifer.

Jennifer stepped closer, adjusted the crown to the right, then arranged two of her curls. “I think you look great. What do you think, Ryan?”

“Perfect.”

She chuckled. “He’s a keeper, dear.”

“I agree,” Candace said with a smile. Yep, she could tell herself that they were only friends, but she felt something more for him than mere friendship.

“Are you ready, Candace?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Okay, I’ll step up and introduce you. Then, of course, after you speak, you’ll need to pose for pictures and sign photographs.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Very good.”

As Jennifer walked toward the podium, Candace assumed what she’d begun to think of as her beauty pageant pose. Straight back, stomach in, chin up, hands to her side, one leg slightly in front of the other. While Jennifer spoke about the pageant and Candace, some of the little girls smiled and waved in her direction. Just as Candace waved back, she caught sight of her stalker sitting at a table in the food court. He was glaring at Ryan as he held a worn paper bag in front of him.

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