Page 50 of An Introvert's Guide to Life and Love
“Mallory?” he prompts.
Put on your big-girl pants, I chide myself.
“I could really use some help. Yes.”
Chapter 19
The next evening, I’m barely recognizable, which is exactly what I wanted. I want to feel like someone else for a minute, or at least like the best version of me. I’ve blow-dried my hair, so it flows long and sleek almost to my elbows. I’ve applied every type of makeup I brought with me. And I’m wearing a new outfit purchased from Bettina’s Beach Boutique: strappy nude sandals and a short, black wrap dress.
Gramps and I barely spoke to each other all day. I’ve been nursing an emotional hangover from everything that happened with him and with my job. I’m one hundred percent ready to enjoy the party tonight and to not think about any of these things for a few hours at least.
“Enjoy your evening,” Gramps says as I hover in the entryway, watching him watch TV.
“Thanks.” I fidget with my keys, unsure what to say but feeling like I have to say something. “By the way, Gramps, I’m really—”
He looks over at me, his blue eyes intent on mine. “There’s no need.”
“But I’m sorry about the—”
“There is no need,” he says again, “to apologize for a kind gesture. That’s what it was.”
He turns back to the TV. After a moment, when I’m still standing there unsure of what to say, he waves a hand at me without taking his eyes off the news anchor.
“Go on, go see some people your own age.”
“Okay. Night, Gramps.”
“G’night.”
Outside, the sweet, warm air sinks into my skin. I’ll never get over how warm it is at night here. I cross the grassy lawn toward the entrance and find Daniel already waiting for me. He leans against a little white Hyundai, wearing a black polo shirt and khaki shorts. In the golden-hour light, his hair looks particularly fiery. I can’t help the smile that springs to my face when I see him.
“Wow, you look beautiful.”
I hear the words, but I snag on the look on his face. He looks… startled? I’d like to be flattered, to think that he’s caught off guard by how gorgeous I look, but I’m pretty sure he’s startled for a different reason.
“Uh.” I pull at my dress nervously as he opens the passenger-side door. “You never said where the party is, so I…”
“You look perfect.” He ushers me into the car and then hops in on the driver’s side. “I mean it.”
I stare at him. “I way overdressed, didn’t I?”
His face twitches in an effort to hold back a grin.
“Oh my God.” I hide my face in my hands.
“No! Mallory, no. I mean.” He turns the key in the ignition. “We’re going to play shuffleboard. I should have told you.”
“What’s shuffleboard?”
This only makes him laugh.
“I’ll go change. Just tell me what shuffleboard is so I know what to wear.”
He laughs for another eternity. Finally, he shakes his head and places a firm hand on my knee. “You’re perfect. Like I said. Don’t worry, all right? You’ll fit right in.”
I shrug, willing the heat to leave my face as we drive. Daniel leaves his hand on my knee longer than is strictly necessary. I grin to myself, watching the palm trees flash by.
We pull up to a squat, brightly painted building with a large sign outside that reads, simply,SHUFFLE. The sound of live music wafts toward us from the back of the building, some kind of indie rock with a Latin vibe.
