Maybe eventually things can change? Oh, there was a thought to keep him awake at night. As much with worry as hope, unfortunately. Alistair did his best to ignore that bit and focus on the rest; it wouldn't be good for either of them if he started second-guessing everything Aveline said or did from now on looking for encouragement. That wouldn't be fair to either of them. Plus it would drive him insane.
"Yes, yes we can. Our crazy friends are crazy, and it is possible for a man and woman to be friends and go to dinner and all that without ulterior motives being involved." Maker forgive him that small bit of hypocrisy. It'd been perfectly possible until he'd thought about it, but Alistair had the sinking feeling those ulterior motives weren't going to go away now that he was aware of them. This was going to be difficult. But he did like Aveline, as a friend as well as a potential something else, and her company was more than worth it as far as he was concerned. Even if friendship was all he could work towards.
"So we're still on for Tuesday, then?" Alistair pulled up a grin. "If I'm lucky I might even hit the target this time. I didn't expect guns to have so much recoil." He hadn't done that badly but he still had a lot to learn. Distance weapons weren't his forte.