[It's not so much that she's not used to forward. Back at the roadhouse, men were forward with her all the time, usually in the most undesirable way possible -- drunk, condescending, thinking she'd be an easy mark just because she was a small-town girl working out of her parents' bar. Joke was always on them. Jo would shut them down without a second thought and smile about it, usually pairing it off with some smart remark as she handed them their bill.
It's the combination of forward and polite that throws her. That, she's not sure what to do with. Anyone who's ever shown genuine interest in her has always beaten around the bush, not been able to say plainly that they want to spend time with her, but here's a perfect stranger saying it just fine, without any hint of hesitation or embarrassment. Was that how it was supposed to work?
What were you supposed to say when there wasn't anything objectionable about the offer, but you just weren't sure?]
You're not shy about flattery, are you.
[She gives him a little half smile as she lets him lead. Following, as it turns out, is easy enough, and the steps aren't nearly as complicated as every period piece she's ever watched (not that there were many) would have her believe.]
It's been a long time since anyone has.
[Her dad had always stuck to "Jo," which may have been why she'd clung to it growing up and left Joanna Beth behind. It only ever came out now when she was in trouble, which, considering she was a grown woman, was still a little too often for her liking -- but at least she has a mother to be in hot water with.]
If you want to-- you could. [Why not? At least just for tonight. It couldn't hurt anything, and he seemed like someone who was used to a certain level of society where names like 'Jo' rarely ever circulated.] A little change never hurt anyone, right?
no subject
It's the combination of forward and polite that throws her. That, she's not sure what to do with. Anyone who's ever shown genuine interest in her has always beaten around the bush, not been able to say plainly that they want to spend time with her, but here's a perfect stranger saying it just fine, without any hint of hesitation or embarrassment. Was that how it was supposed to work?
What were you supposed to say when there wasn't anything objectionable about the offer, but you just weren't sure?]
You're not shy about flattery, are you.
[She gives him a little half smile as she lets him lead. Following, as it turns out, is easy enough, and the steps aren't nearly as complicated as every period piece she's ever watched (not that there were many) would have her believe.]
It's been a long time since anyone has.
[Her dad had always stuck to "Jo," which may have been why she'd clung to it growing up and left Joanna Beth behind. It only ever came out now when she was in trouble, which, considering she was a grown woman, was still a little too often for her liking -- but at least she has a mother to be in hot water with.]
If you want to-- you could. [Why not? At least just for tonight. It couldn't hurt anything, and he seemed like someone who was used to a certain level of society where names like 'Jo' rarely ever circulated.] A little change never hurt anyone, right?