Page 58 of An Introvert's Guide to Life and Love
The empty room seems to echo with those words. So sweet, so uncomplicated.Don’t ruin it, Mallory.
“Oh.” I look down at the pry bar in my hands, then say slowly—as normally as I can—“The feeling is mutual.”
He claps his hands together, stands, and grabs the broom. “Glad we cleared that up.”
I watch as he sweeps up the staples.
“I guess I’m just not used to it,” I say.
“Used to what?”
“Making new friends.” I regret the words the instant they leave my mouth. “Because, I mean, back home I don’t really make new friends all that often. I have Carmen and my family and my co-workers and…” I shrug. “It’s different here.”
“Small-town friendliness?” he suggests.
“Maybe.”
“For what it’s worth, it seems to come naturally to you. You don’t come across as someone who doesn’t know how to make friends.”
I smile, embarrassed. “Thanks. All right, can we be done talking about me now?”
He ties up the garbage bag and teases, “Makes you uncomfortable, doesn’t it?”
“Just a little.”
“Well, come on.” He taps his bare chest and spreads his arms like he’s an open book. “Fire away. I love talking about yours truly.”
“Okay,” I laugh. “Who’s your best friend?”
“Jones.”
“Favorite movie?”
“Pirates of the Caribbean.”
“Do you dress up for Halloween?”
“Last year I was Lucille Ball.” He gestures to his hair. “The redhead thing.”
“I have got to see pictures of this.”
“Come on, keep ’em coming.”
“Favorite meal?”
“Breakfast. Banana pancakes.”
“Ice cream flavor?”
“Cookie dough.”
“Me too!”
“I knew I liked you, Rosen.”
I’m momentarily flustered, beaming at him. Why does it tickle me so much when he calls me by my last name? Like we’re teammates on the high school track team.
After a long pause, Daniel seems to remember that he’s shirtless. He clears his throat, pulls his shirt on, and says, “Well, I should get going. I’ve got an early client meeting tomorrow.”
