Practice Makes Perfect (When in Rome, #2)

by Sarah Adams

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. —Audrey Hepburn

For introverts like me with social anxiety, the process of dating is equivalent to waxing your bikini line. Menstrual cramps on day two of your cycle. An emergency dental procedure you weren’t expecting—and guess what: they’re fresh out of novocaine.

I am the quiet one in my family. The one with her nose always in a book because she prefers worlds where she doesn’t have to interact with other humans. It’s so much easier to read about relationships than to foster them. Less dangerous too. I can’t offend anyone written into a book. I can’t say the wrong thing. And book characters don’t make judgments about me.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a nonreader. Reading just hasn’t been on my radar before.” “But now it is?” I ask hopefully, glancing at him. “Maybe.” He smirks.

James clears his throat. “Why do I feel like I just missed out on an important opportunity?” Because you did. Now, get lost, she’s mine.

“If I waited until I felt confident to live my life and do the things I want to do, I’d never live.”

“It seems to me, Annie, that you are just waiting for someone to give you permission to be yourself out loud.”

How is it possible to crave change and relish familiarity at the same time?

Annie: You’d do that for me? Will: I’m quickly learning I’d do anything for you.

But the thing about quiet people is, we’re only quiet because our brains are so busy overthinking everything.

This one is for the softies. The tenderhearted sweeties. The introverts who are afraid to shine.