With a grimace, Tony had to cover his wounded heart with a dainty hand and admit, "I knew that was a long shot." Romantic gesture it was, though she probably deserved it. Whether her manipulative prowess proved to be at all effective in the end remained to be seen, but if it was she probably earned some kind of respectful gesture on top of her bounty. On the other hand, Tony had to point out, "I don't know what kind of self-hating prudes you let buy you coffee, though, if you don't expect it to be take-out back to my place because you can't take the tension anymore."
He seemed confident enough in this outcome with his flirtatious smile that he shifted like he did mean to head for the exit and make what he could of the invitation. That was precious seconds long enough for something to dawn on him before he went, though. "Mother Mary, don't tell me you're the self-hating prude. This can be salvaged, I promise, but that's a lot of wasted years and broken hearts we would have to make up for and I just don't know if I have the skills. It might take all night and you'd have to promise to have an open mind."