Page 51 of An Introvert's Guide to Life and Love
Daniel leads me through the inside, a cute bar full of kitschy signs, to the outdoor area in the back. It’s a small garden with string lights overhead and a stage where the musicians are illuminated by a purple glow, the whole scene dominated by a huge shuffleboard court.
A group of people hails Daniel and waves us over.
“Happy birthday, buddy,” Daniel says to one of them, giving the man a one-armed hug. “Your gift is in your inbox.”
Jones, the birthday boy, gives Daniel a quizzical look. I recognize him as the guy from the first night I met Daniel, the one who was terrible at buying gifts for his girlfriend.
“It’s an Amazon gift card,” Daniel says. Jones and the other guys roar with laughter. Jones shakes his head in a morose way that makes me think the girlfriend might now be an ex.
Daniel introduces me. “This is Mallory.”
“Pleasure to meet you.” Jones shakes my hand while giving Daniel a raised eyebrow.
“Mallory is in town for a while so I invited her along,” Daniel says. You can practically hear theas friendsthat he didn’t tack onto the end of that sentence.
“Ah,” Jones says.
“Happy birthday,” I say. “I can’t wait to find out what shuffleboard is.”
Everyone roars with laughter a second time. I decide to pretend that I was, indeed, joking. They’ll find out soon enough when they see me play.
The group disperses, some to order drinks, some to start a game. Daniel asks for my drink order, and I request a gin and tonic and start to awkwardly follow him toward the bar when I see Amanda, the owner of the mermaid bar. She’s at a patio table with a couple of people I haven’t met yet.
“Hey!” I stop by her chair. Even though we met only a few days ago, I’m convinced that she won’t remember who I am. Why am I like this? “Amanda, right? I’m—”
“Hi, Mallory.” Amanda’s answering smile is so genuine and friendly, I feel a rush of relief.
“You remember!” I’m shocked. Does she remember the name of every customer she talks to? A bartender—or bar owner—in Seattle would never remember your name, or if they did, they wouldn’t admit to it.
“Yeah.” She gives me a slightly puzzled look but glosses over the moment by asking, “You’re still in town?”
I nod. “For a few more days.”
“You came here with Daniel?” At my flustered splutter in response, a huge grin overtakes Amanda’s face. “Just teasing you. It’s nice to see him with a date. It’s been long enough.”
I’m dying to ask for more details, but Amanda gestures to the couple sitting with her and makes introductions. Daniel returns with my drink and asks Amanda how business is going. I’m half listening and half soaking up the cozy party atmosphere: laughter and voices and music mingling in the sultry evening air, punctuated by the occasional thwack of the shuffleboard… ball? Puck?
Daniel sees me glancing at the court over my shoulder. He plucks the plastic cup from my hand, sets it on the table, and says, “All right, let’s go. Time to teach you a thing or two.”
Amanda waves. “Have fun!”
“Want to join us?” My voice has a plaintive tone. I would rather make a fool out of myself in front of a friend than strangers.
“I’m more of a sit-on-the-sidelines gal.”
“But wait, me too!” I’m not joking, but Daniel’s grip on my hand is firm, pulling me onward.
“Unfortunately that’s not an option for you tonight. You’re with me.”
We stop at the far end of one of the courts. All I see are a bunch of triangles on the ground, and some very long sticks.
Daniel’s grabbing two of the sticks and shouting something across the court at two guys who are, apparently, playing with us. They exchange some ribbing about a previous match. Match? Game?
“Am I sensing a competitive streak?” I ask Daniel.
“Competitive? Me? Nah.” The way he rolls his shoulders and then stretches his neck belies the casual tone.
“Okay, well, just so you know, I’m not the best partner to help you win. I still don’t know what shuffle ball is.”
