[...All right. He hadn't quite expected this, but they've gone this far. He doesn't think she actually thinks that way so this is now just a matter of who will back down first. Plus it's Velvet. If she really doesn't want to she'll just reject—and that's what he fully expects.

So that smirk widens just a bit.]

Well then, Miss Velvet Crowe. Will you do me the honor and go out on a date with me after we're done with this story?

[This is the path they chose.]