"Jean. I don't -- uh, I'm not great at talking to women, but it's unfair for me to ask you to read my mind, so here we go." Breath. Because it was important to breathe, right? The alternative led to passing out.
"I don't feel like I have to do anything. I've never wanted anything beyond the opportunity to serve my country and the chance to come home, meet a nice woman, court and marry and have a family."
Oh lord. And now Steve was turning a little pink. "I'm glad that it's you. I like you."