Allie gave a casual shrug. "It is. Even nicer because it's true. Most of them time, anyway. Arguments are inevitable sometimes, but I don't really get the sense that you're the arguing type." She'd been wrong before, though. Quiet, outwardly nice guys were generally the best at hiding their spark of wickedness. Experience warned her that it was good that her first solo meeting with David was via the intranet.
That was the expected reaction. Almost everyone in the world wanted to be liked, wanted to have connections with other people. "Neither would I. New friends are hard to come by, and you, sir, are off to a great start."
Smirking, the woman allowed herself to be silently congratulatory that he'd given in to her point. Brave. That's what he was. She was glad she could make him see that, and even more glad with the prospect of having a visitor she actually got along with. "I'd like that!" Did that sound a little too desperate? Probably. Anyone new who could liven things up with conversation was a welcome change to the dull, quiet atmosphere of Federal Hall.
Allie easily could've argued that there were, indeed, many things wrong with lacking bravery. But she didn't. Because he was complimenting her again, making her feel better, and her many weaknesses were crushed by the inflated balloon that was her ego. Rae had told her similar things before. Brandon had, too, for that matter. Keeping morale up was just as important as protecting people from the undead. Yes, she was useful. Invaluable, even. "That's true," she nodded. "My brother Ollie would be completely lost if I wasn't around."
Whereas David didn't mind being alone, Allie hated it. It allowed for too many negative thoughts to creep up. She wasn't good with loneliness. Depression was harder to ignore when she was alone. Her gaze focused unseeingly at the keys on her laptop. She brushed the long sleeve of her pajama top back and forth across her chin, fighting off the lingering effects of this part of the conversation. It was David's voice that crashed her pity party, and Allie lifted her gaze back to the monitor, offering him a small smile. "Same goes for you, too. I'm usually around."
Turnabout. "Fair play," she grinned. One of her favorite phrases. With Allie's confidence (once again) shaken by her horrible roommate, she could've easily countered David's remark with at least a hint that maybe she did deserve whatever comments Miss Unibrow threw at her. Her pride wouldn't let her say that, though. Saving face was what was important right now. "Well, that makes you my hero," was all she said. She meant it, too.
"Guess that makes us both helpers, then." Coming from someone she barely knew, Allie wasn't fully reassured of her capabilities to help, but she took David's words for what they were: something to make her feel better. The words didn't, but the attempt did.
Would he be her first dance of the night? That was a good question. Allie pursed her lips thoughtfully. It all depended on when Brandon decided to show up. He hadn't given her a specific time. Only agreed that he'd be there. That had been enough for her, considering all the hostess duties she had to take care of. Perhaps, if she met up with David early on, before the activities really got moving, she could fulfill a promise of him being her first dance of the night. "I think that can be arranged," she said. "In fact, no, I'm sure that can be arranged. I will be your first, David. Count on it."