"I'm from North Carolina, actually," Brian said, taking a big gulp of beer. "Just here with Mal for a while, visiting. You know. Are you from here?"
Mallory found herself relaxing slightly as she watched Brian begin to converse with Elise. She didn't want him with her when she talked to Benson. She was afraid that he would see how she looked at him; how she couldn't take her eyes off him ever, no matter how hard she tried.
"Cool party," she exclaimed, leaning in to practically yell into his ear as someone turned the music way up loud. She blushed from the closeness.