You're so perfect, he thought -- which unfortunately reminded him of why things were odd between them, and his expression fell accordingly.
"I like brats," he told her in something of a distant tone. "Birds of a feather or whatever."
What was happening to Luke's life?
He couldn't even control himself long enough to pretend that nothing was bothering him. Then again, maybe you weren't supposed to do that in front of your best friend. Girlfriend. He didn't know why he felt compelled to protect her from the worst of his moods when he didn't mind snapping at everyone else -- no matter how important they might or might not be. It felt strange, and it said a lot.
"Listen, you don't have to... I mean, if this is weird, or..." He shrugged. "I know you don't like my uncle, so. You don't have to hang out with me in there. We can just... Meet outside sometimes, if that's better. I don't know."