He almost laughed, but caught himself just in time. The only people who had ever told him they liked the way he thought were speaking in a strictly business capacity, and even then they were sometimes nothing more than attempts at false flattery. "Well, they do say it's better late than never." It was the most cliche thing he'd ever said, and he had to fight the urge to wince as soon as the words came out.
Vlad was mulling over the fact that she seemed to like him far more than most did upon first impression when a harsh grinding sound jolted him from his thoughts. He was almost afraid to hope that it was a good sound, and he hesitated before pressing the Lobby button. There was a moment of silence before the elevator gave a lurch and the grinding sounds started again, slowly propelling it downward. He grinned at Darcy in the relief of the moment, getting to his feet before instinctively offering a hand to help her up. "Apparently the elevator believes we have become well acquainted enough to be let out."