"Saying our friends are a little crazy is like saying the ocean is a little wet," Alistair joked. Who needed a shield when you could deflect things with humor? "I'm...glad to know you don't think it's an insane idea, I'll admit." He wanted to reach out and take her hand, even just for a moment, but he knew better. Hooray for coffee. It gave him something to do with his hands. "Aveline, I like you. I like you a lot. And maybe I could like you more than a lot, given time and...well, permission."
He leaned back in his chair. "But...I do know it's not an option. Honest. And I swear to the Maker, I haven't been spending time with you in the hopes of winning you around or changing your mind or, or anything. I just like spending time with you."