After this came a pause, a bit of awkwardness, due to the fact that each was fencing for the best position to deliver his or her excuse for not coming up to the mark that evening.
"The Mermaid of Druid Lake and Other Stories"
Charles Weathers Bump
He stood facing her and a sudden awkwardness came over both of them.
"Fortitude"
Hugh Walpole
And, with all that awkwardness, there was also a knowledge that they had never been so near together before, an intimacy had been established that night that would never again be broken.
"Fortitude"
Hugh Walpole