Hidden Desire by Amy Patrick

Author:Amy Patrick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Teen & Young Adult, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal and Urban Fantasy, Fairy Tales & Folklore
Publisher: Oxford South Press
Published: 2016-09-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Tribute and Tears

Our tables are far enough apart I can’t hear Laney’s conversation with Shane. I can tell they get along well, though. She smiles at him as they talk and occasionally throws her head back in laughter. He leans close, draping an arm across her chair back.

It’s a challenge to keep my attention focused on Nicole—that’s the hopeful actress’s name—and the rest of my table mates. Their lively discussion of the movie industry does not interest me in the least. Same goes for Nicole’s flirtatious body language and the blatant way she keeps touching my hand, my arm, my shoulder. I can’t help but sneak looks in Laney and Shane’s direction.

As the evening moves along, he edges his chair incrementally closer to hers. By the time dessert is served, he’s sitting close enough to her that their knees touch. According to the programs on our table, her speech should begin soon. I’ve already decided the minute it’s finished, I’m taking her home. It’s been a long night already, and she needs her rest. Besides that, the bartender was true to his word and sent the bottle of Dom to their table. I’ve counted three glasses Shane has filled for Laney so far.

“Ladies and gentlemen...” There’s a ringing noise I realize is coming from the tapping of a silver fork on a crystal glass. A fit man with thick dark hair and hipster glasses stands at the podium, smiling and speaking into the microphone. “If I could have your attention. It’s about time to begin our program. Hasn’t this been a lovely night so far?”

There is applause from the attendees who seem to be making a concerted effort to wrap up the numerous conversations going on.

“I’m Jack Soderman, news anchor at Action News, and I’m your emcee for the evening. We’d like to start off by thanking some people who’ve made this beautiful night of hope possible.”

The guy rattles off a list of names and corporations, all of which draw polite applause, and then he starts Laney’s introduction. Suddenly, my stomach is filled with swarming bees. I can’t sit still, so I get up and go to the back of the room where I can pace.

“This young lady is a last minute addition to our program, but once you meet her, I think you’ll see why the night would not have been complete without hearing from her,” the emcee says. “Laney recently arrived in Los Angeles, and her first stop was the Starting Steps clinic in Chesterfield.”

Murmurs filter through the audience as attendees no doubt express their shock, admiration, and perhaps dismay over Laney’s decision to visit that infamous neighborhood.

“I don’t need to tell you this young lady is fearless. But her courage doesn’t stop there. You see, Laney came to the city alone, without a place to live, without knowing a soul, not because she wants to be a star or pursue fame and fortune, but because she wants to help stop this epidemic we’ve come to know as the S Scourge.

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