Page 39 of Love in the Stacks
“Who is?”
We look at each other and at the same time, we say, “Extroverts.” We both chuckle softly.
“But yeah, that’s me,” she says dryly. “Nicole Delaney: good at presentations, bad at small talk.” She rolls her eyes. “I’m a mess, Adam.”
I catch her eye and hold it. “I don’t think so,” I say softly.
Her cheeks turn pink, but she doesn’t respond.
The air turns heavy around us, the energy shifting. I take one step closer, and then another. She watches me, staring at my mouth. Electricity crackles between us, and Nicole shivers.
But then, as if coming out of a trance, Nicole tosses her hair and steps back. “That’s probably enough for tonight, right?” she asks.
“Uh, sure,” I agree hollowly, rubbing the back of my neck.
“Okay, great. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then she gathers her things and she steps toward the door.
“Wait,” I say. She tenses and turns back toward me. I can’t read the expression on her face. Annoyance? Hope? Desire? Okay, that last one is probably wishful thinking. “It’s dark,” I finally say. “Let me give you a ride home.”
She takes a breath. “Yeah, that should be fine. Thanks.”
Chapter eighteen
Adam
Our next session goes slightly better. I have my script ready this time, so Nicole has me up behind the podium.
“Okay,” she directs. “Let’s start by visualizing your presentation. Think through the whole thing in your mind. From the start when the moderator introduces us, all the way through to questions at the end. Visualize yourself commanding the room, speaking confidently–”
“Not puking?” I cut in.
She closes her eyes briefly and sighs. “Yes, Adam. It would be preferable if you don’t vomit during our presentation.”
“Okay, wait a second.” I circle around the podium and pick up my legal pad and pen from the nearby table. I write, while saying the words aloud, “No vomiting. Got it.”
I lift my head to see Nicole’s reaction and am rewarded when a puff of laughter escapes her lips. She shakes her head, trying to hold it back. I grin. Making her laugh is everything.
“Behind the podium!” she chastises, and I quickly move back into place.
“Alright,” I say. “I have visualized the presentation. What’s next?”
“Now,” she commands, “use the podium to your advantage. Think of it as a touchstone. Touch it or hold the edges to steady yourself. The rigidity of the podium is a reminder that you’re safe. The ground is steady at your feet.”
I press my hands against the podium and stomp my feet lightly against the floor. “Yeah,” I say. “I can see that. It’s a grounding technique, reminding my body that I’m safe and it doesn’t need to go into a fight, flight, or freeze mode.”
“Exactly. So, I think we’re ready to run through your script now. Whenever you’re ready.”
I walk through a round of box breathing, grip the edge of the podium, and shuffle my feet against the ground. Then, I start reading from my script.
Nicole lets me go on for a few minutes before she stops me. “Overall, not bad, but I have some notes.”
Pinching my lips together, I gesture for her to continue. “First, I know you’re just reading through on this go-round, but during the real thing, you’re going to want to be comfortable enough to look up at the audience and make eye contact every so often.”
“Yes,” I agree. “It would be fantastic if I were comfortable enough to do that.”
“But you don’t think you will be?”
I click my tongue and point at her. Nailed it.
