[Private]
Perhaps you'd prefer to think of it as asking to escort her? [but, sincerely] I just thought that a young woman who had her heart nearly broken a little while back might want to be invited out with someone who appreciates her, that's all. It's only a friendly invitation unless she'd like it to be otherwise.
[he actually thinks he's protecting Euphie, here, since she's the one who asked him out the first time]