"The problem there is that you're way too polite."

He doesn't mind an offputting reputation, because it means less people want to idle chat at him. That's perfectly fine with him. Bite some figurative heads, avoid future annoyances. Anger was an easy shield.

But it wouldn't do much for the quiet reflection part of the holiday, would it? If he was just pissed off the entire time, it would feel wrong to try and make something for Gabriella like that. So Miguel drums his fingers idly on the work bench, listening to the scritch-scratch of Dan making marks on wood, letting the calming sound draw up wandering thoughts.

"Maybe a small one in the bedroom."

He had a flair for the dramatic sometimes, but that felt more right to him.