“Most definitely.”
“Even with my glasses and my ponytail, and my complete lack of a fashion sense?”
“Even with your glasses and your ponytail and your complete lack of a fashion sense,” he replied, looking me in the eye.
I smiled, hoping to control the blush on my cheeks. “Thank you.”
“Natalie?”
“Yes?”
“Why did you run away from me that night?”
I gulped. I was far too embarrassed to admit the truth to him. How could I tell this gorgeous, confident man that I was still a virgin? How could I tell him that I had never even kissed a man till the night he had kissed me? How could I tell him that I had no experience and even less confidence? It was just too much, and he was still just a stranger to me. I desperately wanted to impress him, and I was fairly sure admitting my secret to him was not the way to do it.
“Natalie?”
“I… I was out of sorts that night…”
Chance raised his eyebrows. “You were out of sorts?”
“I had drunk a lot that night,” I explained, trying to invent excuses out of thin air. “And I was already out of my comfort zone, and I think I just…got flustered.”
“You were already out of your comfort zone?” he asked curiously.
“I told you I don’t like socializing much.”
He raised his eyebrows. “That’s not what you told me.”
I hesitated for a second. “It’s not?”
“No.” He smiled. “You said you didn’t like the bar scene very much.”
“And I don’t,” I said. “It’s just I prefer…”
“Staying in and reading?” he finished for me.
“Yes.”
“You did mention that.” He smiled. “So, your birthday was an attempt to socialize?”
“I suppose.” I nodded. “Missy’s hell-bent on introducing me to new people… She thinks my friend group is far too small.”
“And, you don’t agree?”
“No, I do, actually,” I said. “She’s right most of the time, but especially in this case. I tend to be shy about meeting new people, and because sometimes it can be awkward, I tend to just avoid it altogether. I haven’t ever really been the face-your-fears kind of girl.”
“There’s always time to change,” Chance pointed out.
“I know.” I nodded. “And, I’m trying. It’s not always as easy as people think it is.”
Chance looked at me curiously, as though he couldn’t quite figure me out.
“I know what you’re thinking,” I blurted out before he could speak. “I’m a freak.”
“That’s a harsh word.”
“Okay, a weirdo at the very least.”