“Does that answer your question?” Taylor said. “Ohmygod, this is bad. What are we going todo?”
Melissa peeked into the ballroom. “The good news is that we’re standing-room only. The bad is that we don’t have a plan B.” With her hands on her hips, she eyed Taylor. “I’ve got it. You’re going toemcee.”
Adrenaline spiked through her. “What? No way. I can’t get up in front of those people.” Taylor thrust the mic at Melissa. “You’re cool, calm,andthe executive director. You doit.”
Refusing to take the microphone, Melissa crossed her arms. “I have to manage everything else. That includes making sure our bachelors and bachelorettes don’t get drunk while they’re waiting to goonstage.”
Taylor’s hands grew clammy while her heart hammered in her chest. “I…I can’t. I’msorry.”
With a scowl, the director surveyed the other volunteers. “I don’t trust anyone else like I trust you. We don’t have a choice.” She stepped close and put her arm around Taylor. “Sweetie, the guests will be focused on our bachelors and bachelorettes. And they’ve been tossing back a few.” She shot Spencer a dirty look. “Hopefully, not that much, but maybe enough to be generous with their bids. We set a goal to raise twenty-five thousand dollarsin one night. That money can help alotof people.Youcan help a lot of people,Taylor.”
Taylor didn’t want to let anyone down, but Melissa was asking the impossible. “I cannot—as in,noway—stand in front of that crowd, let alone speak to them. I’m a nervous wreck just thinking about it.” She shoved her shaking hand in Melissa’sface.
“You look phenomenal.” Melissa stepped back to examine Taylor. “All glammed up is definitely your thing. Your updo is stunning. Who’s going to recognize you in that mask, anyway? Pretend you’re someoneelse.”
“Melissa, I can’t dothis.”
“You’repoised.”
“No, I’mnot.”
“You’re fierce, like alioness.”
“Hardly. I’m amouse.”
Melissa adjusted her own mask before grasping Taylor’s arm. “This is your opportunity to do something really wonderful for a group of individuals who are counting on us. All you have to do is read what’s on these cards. Please, Taylor, I’m beggingyou.”
Peering through the door at the audience, Taylor murmured, “I’m going to pass out.” She sucked in a shaky breath, unable to stoptrembling.
“Taylor, look at me.” Melissa squeezed her shoulders and stared into her eyes. “Life is all about making bold choices. Make this momentbold.”
Before Taylor had a chance to dig her stilettos into the carpet, Melissa walked her into the ballroom and up on stage. Forcing herself to peek at the audience, Taylor grew rigid. Row after row of guests filled the ballroom. Most wore masquerade masks and everyone was dressed to impress.Ohmygod, ohmygod.Breathe.
Melissa grasped Taylor’s hand, still cemented around the mic, raised it to her mouth, and flipped the switch. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.” Melissa grinned at the waiting crowd. “I’m Melissa Rodriguez, executive director forWalk a Mile in My Shoes,and this is my gorgeouscohost—”
“Raven,” Taylor blurted into the mic. Her heart thundered so hard she couldn’t hear anything else. “W-w-we’re all here because we—” Her mindblanked.
“Yes, that’s right,Raven. Homelessness affects more than just those in need of a jumpstart. Tonight, your generosity will make a positive difference by helping them get back on their feet. We have gorgeous bachelors and bachelorettes who are generously auctioning themselves for a date with you.” Melissa grinned at the audience. “Bid a lot and bidbig. Are you ready to get this partystarted?”
“Yes!” the group shouted, applaudingenthusiastically.
“Then, let’s do this.” Melissa let go of Taylor’s hand, and the mic clunked onto thestage.
Mortified, Taylor snatched it up. Melissa handed her the stack of index cards before hurryingoffstage.
Gaping at the audience, she struggled for words. Two hundred guests packed the room. All eyes on her.The cards. Use the cards.She shifted her gaze to the short stack in her unsteady hand and willed herself tospeak.
“First up is…” Her upper lip quivered. She took a few steps and her ankle wobbled in the stiletto. She stumbled, but kept herself from falling flat on her face. Several in the audience laughed.This is beyond humiliating.Then, Taylor thought of her Auntie Patty and how proud she’d be. If only she could push past her fear.Do this for her. Do this forPatty.
The cards shook in her quaking hand, but she forced herself to read the words printed on them. “Our first bachelor is sure to be ahit.”
The cued music began while a handsome man in a dark suit emerged onstage and struck a model’spose.
“Trevor is all muscle and no fat,” Taylor continued reading. “He’s ready to talk about scuba diving or take you on a mountain hike. And if your muscles are sore at the end of the day, he’s more than happy to rub the tension away—Oh my, who can resist that?—Bidding starts at five hundred dollars, but this fine man is worth much more thanthat.”
Though she sounded stilted and she still hadn’t smiled, her trembling had subsided a little. The focus of attention had shifted to Trevor, who strutted across the stage like he ownedit.
A woman seated in the second row, wearing a feathered masquerade mask, raised her hand. “Fivehundred.”