Time to talk
Mark’s heart was racing in his chest as he prepared to speak. He cleared his throat and was about to start when he realized he had forgotten all of his planned words. When he glanced at Lucy, she could see he was terrified on the inside. Mark gradually gathered himself together after she gazed at him reassuringly.
One big breath
He took a deep breath and stared down at the ground. Mark was aware that everyone was waiting for him to speak, which added to his anxiety. Finally, he closed his eyes briefly and convinced himself he could do it. When he opened his eyes again, he started speaking from the heart.