How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
Although he was in love, the thought of marriage, an engagement, or simply living together made Lonnie feel uncomfortable […] because he could sense an invisible audience of people whose mouths would drop open in astonishment if he so much as whispered such intentions, who would exclaim: "You?" as if he was twelve instead of twenty-two. (30.24)
Lonnie may seem like kind of a loser at the start of the book, but he definitely proves us wrong. Asking Clara to marry him is a huge step in showing the maturity and focus he's struggled with. Still, it's understandable that he'd be embarrassed about other people's reactions.