Re: Near the bar, around 8 or so!
Lucas didn't want to date anyone else. Couldn't she understand that? This whole stupid non-exclusive dating thing had been her idea and he was playing along, but that didn't change the fact that he wasn't interested in anyone but her.
"Is it my you just can't seem to stay away from me," he teased when she turned to face her, his eyes dancing with amusement. He might have thought she was serious except for the telltale smirk and the way she was still standing right there. "Besides, why make new friends when I'd much rather hang out with you?" He grinned, but that last remark had been quite serious. He'd only come to this thing in hopes of bumping into her, so why pretend otherwise? He'd never been an especially social person, especially prior to last year, and he probably wouldn't have bothered coming to this masquerade if he hadn't hoped it would give him a chance to see Brooke - and to show her again that he was serious about wanting to be with her.
"Besides," he added, smirking a little bit. "We're both wearing masks and I won't tell if you don't."