Page 3 of Love Out Loud

Jane leaned forward, elbows on the counter. “Since the award is for your contribution to homeless pets in the city, Animal Attraction will pick up the bill for the public speaking coach. Your award is good PR for us.” She smiled at Fiona, who tried but failed miserably to smile back. “So, no stress or expense for you,” Jane added.

Sure. A public speaking coach would result in no stress whatsoever. Talk to a perfect stranger about giving a speech, which was her worst nightmare? Yeah, no problem. They’d probably try to convince her that public speaking was good for her and would help her overcome her shyness, which was total crap. Her shyness wasn’t something she could overcome, even if she wanted to, which she didnot. And if she agreed to it for the sole purpose of making Jane happy, she’d feel guilty because someone else paid for the worthless lessons.

“It’s not necessary,” Fiona said as her dogs skidded into the lobby from the exam room hallway, toenails clicking on the polished floor. “But thanks for the offer.”

“You can thank me after your appointment with communications coach Jacob Ward from Upward Media”—she looked at her watch—“in fifteen minutes. I’ve already rescheduled your morning appointments.”

Fifteen minutes!Fiona’s heart flipped back into high speed. “I said—”

“I know what you said, but now I need you to listen to whatIhave to say.” Jane stepped around the counter, took a deep breath, and ran a hand through her blond hair. Fiona marveled at how amazing Jane always looked. Shoes and purse that matched. Cute outfits that weren’t covered in animal hair or worse. Today, Jane wore navy slacks and a low-cut floral silk blouse that Fiona could never in a million years pull off with her relatively flat chest.

“I think it’s important that you make this speech,” Jane said. “Not only because you deserve the honor, but because you can shine a spotlight on what you do for the pets of homeless citizens of Manhattan, and it’ll bring attention to Animal Attraction as well.”

“You know how I feel about talking in front of crowds. You’ve seen it. I used to choke up on grade-school book reports.” Heck, she couldn’t even string a full sentence together to talk to Hot Guy from her apartment lobby.

“Yes,” Jane said. “And I also know how much you love what you do and that you’d give anything to help animals on the streets. This is the best way I can think of to accomplish that. Maybe you can get more people to help, or at the very least raise awareness.” She gave a sigh. “If for no other reason, please do this forme.”

Fiona stared at Jane for a moment, and memories of growing up filtered through her mind. From the time she’d met them that first day of kindergarten until today, her best friends, Caitlin and Jane, had always had Fiona’s back. Meeting with some silly public speaking coach was a little thing to ask, in light of all the times Jane had been there for her growing up. Still…

When Fiona couldn’t bring herself to agree, Jane said, “I need you to do it for a personal reason, too. You know that the Anderson family made it possible for us to open this business. Claire Anderson is the person who made the recommendation, and she evidently had to pull some strings to get the coach to take you on.”

Fiona’s stomach dropped to her feet. What on Earth had he been told about her that would require string-pulling to get him to accept her? “Am I that big of a loser?”

Jane’s eyes widened with surprise, but then she smiled. “Of course not. His schedule was full, and he was hesitant to add someone else because he has a deadline on some article he’s writing for a psychology magazine. He works with Claire and has for years, and she convinced him to make room for you.”

Well, that made her feel better…sort of.

“Please, Fiona. I’ve already paid for two months of coaching. He’s supposed to be amazing. I know you take Daisy and Otto to that coffee shop down the street, and I wanted to make it as easy on you as possible, so you don’t even have to go to his office for this appointment. He’ll meet you at the coffee shop.” When Fiona didn’t respond immediately, Jane added, “I think you’re amazing, and I want everyone to know what you do for the community. Please agree to this.”

How could she say no to Jane? Knowing this was a terrible idea, she gave a tight nod, stomach whirling like a spin-art machine.

Jane beamed. “You won’t regret it.”

She already did.

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