Re: David, Allie, eventually Brandon
It would take more than a moment for David to adjust. Each time David caught side of someone reaching for Allie, touching her or whatever, a surge of jealousy bubbled up inside of him and he had to battle it back. Mostly because... what could he do? And Allie didn't seem to mind the attention (which... sort of made him all the more jealous, but that was another whole matter entirely).
Surveying his surroundings, David smiled. He'd missed the Christmas party, opting to stay on Liberty Island and run the vet clinic for the two ladies who had desperately wanted to come, but he realized now that something like this was needed to keep spirits high. It probably would have improved his Christmas, too. His awkward smile grew a little bit as he caught sight of Rae and Elliot dancing. Elliot looked happy. It was one of the first time he had seen the two of them together since their "revelation of feelings" and whatever part of David hadn't been sure that this was the right move for them? Was sure now. So far, Elliot seemed to have worn a perpetual smile all night, and every time Rae smiled or laughed, that smile grew even more.
That was what they were to one another, obviously. A respite from the chaos. David turned his attention to Allie.
Maybe, since circumstances had changed a little bit... maybe since he could actually talk to this girl without making a stumbling fool out of himself a hundred and ten percent of the time? Maybe she could be that for him. But probably not, he thought to himself.
She spoke up again and his attention turned back to her, his smile turning into a little grin. "Still..." David shrugged. "People like you, people who take the time to do things like this, I mean? They—you—make the way the world is not seem so bad. And look at all the smiles you're bringing..." he shrugged a shoulder.
Laughing awkwardly when she told him he was sweet, he looked down at the table. When she told him that he looked handsome? He could feel the red in his cheeks... and even more when she reached over to smooth his collar. His eyes followed her hand as it touched his shoulder then fell back to her side, and he let out another awkward laugh. "Oh, uh... thanks," he said, an all-encompassing statement. "Rae helped. Insisted, actually. She picked everything out for me..." he mused, inwardly thanking the woman.
"So am I," he responded when she told him she was glad he decided to come. "I don't doubt that I'll enjoy myself. I already am." Can't beat the company was on the tip of his tongue, but he held back from saying it.