Page 98 of Falling For You

And, well, I couldn’t say no to Millie, not after everything she did for us and the town.

“Up next, we have a very special contestant!” Millie’s voice echoed through the speakers, pulling me out of my self-pitying thoughts. “She’s quirky. She’s fun. And she’s about to bring a lot of laughter to this event. Let’s give it up for the llama!”

My heart plummeted to my toes as I realized it was my turn.

The crowd roared in anticipation, but I couldn’t tell if it was genuine excitement or the kind of laughter you get when you know something ridiculous is about to happen.

I even heard Liam’s whistle zip through the air, and I scowled.

Taking a deep breath, I adjusted the llama headpiece on my head and pushed through the curtain.

The moment I stepped on the stage, the room erupted into laughter, cheers, and amused whispers.

I shuffled across the stage, and the microphones picked up the swishing of my llama tail.

Could this get any worse?

The lights blinded my tiny cut-out eyes, and I couldn’t see much of the crowd.

It was probably a blessing in disguise.

But I could feel their eyes on me. Every inch of my body screamed with embarrassment.

There was no turning back now.

Millie stood at the side of the stage with a microphone and beamed. I think she thought I was the most dazzling one up here,which only made me love her more. “Now, folks, I know you’ve seen some stunning costumes tonight, but I don’t think they can top this! Who doesn’t love a llama, right?”

The crowd chuckled, so I forced myself to play along. I twirled around, letting my llama ears flop comically and my tail swish seductively.

Seductive? A llama?

I was delusional.

Millie read from a notecard in her hand. “Let’s learn a little more about her! She’s Buttercup Lake’s very own food blogger extraordinaire. She helps run the family lodge and recently ran a big, bad corporation right out of Buttercup Lake. But I mean, look at her. Who wouldn’t be scared of a llama like that? She’s got sparkle and sass, but most of all, she’s full of heart.”

The crowd clapped, and I could feel the blush creeping up my cheeks. I had prepared a list of “fun facts” about myself for Millie to read aloud, and now I regretted every single word.

“Not only is she an amazing chef, but she’s got a wicked sense of humor—clearly, as you can see by her costume choice tonight! She believes laughter is the best medicine, so if you need a good time, she’ll keep you entertained for hours.”

No. No. Not a good time.

“Not like that,” I hollered through the mouth hole.

Millie laughed. “Oh, right.”

More laughter from the crowd.

I couldn’t tell if they were laughing with me or at me. But at this point, I didn’t care. I just wanted this to be over.

Millie wasn’t finished. “She also enjoys long hikes, is an avid reader of mystery novels, and…” She paused dramatically, grinning at the crowd. “She can’t resist a good llama joke! That’s right, folks, this one here knows how to keep things quirky and fun.”

I wanted to melt into the floor.

The whole thing felt like one giant joke at my expense, and I could feel the heat of humiliation rising in my cheeks.

Tonight was for a good cause. The money raised tonight would go toward providing Thanksgiving meals for families in need, and that was all that mattered.

That was all that mattered.

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