NOT SO NORMAL

My entire body twitched in shock, first from Alexander's question that caught me off guard, and then his sudden interest. He had never shown this level of personal interest before, and I wasn't sure just how much to reveal.

I blinked away from his stare. "There's not much to say." I could feel the heat of his eyes on me, but I decided to focus on my hands that were folded on my thighs.

"Surely you must have things you're interested in that I'm not aware of, like a hobby or a habit. I'm propelled to believe clumsiness isn't your best trait."

It sounded like a tease but when my eyes met his face, the seriousness that was etched on it forced my lips open. "I enjoy certain things, but it's a bit hard to point them out when you ask so straightforwardly," I said, hearing him hum.

"That's a silly answer, Penelope. It's like saying you can't tell your favorite meal or your favorite book because you were asked. It sounds ridiculous."