Maybe, if she flirted with him enough, and intensely enough, he'd build up his nerve to do something about it, eventually, anyway. At the very least, he might try flirting back. Although he still wasn't sure just what flirting entailed, so it might end up being a game of double-entendre chicken. Who would give in first? Probably not Steve, because he'd never be quite sure if he was reading the signs right, but he wouldn't quit first either, because he was very stubborn like that.

He listened to her story, and like his own, he heard a lot of blank spaces, things being left out and obscured. He wondered just what could have been happening in her life that anyone would think she wasn't worth it.

Mentally bracing himself, Steve decided to try just a little flirting of his own. "I can't imagine any guy getting to know you and deciding you weren't worth all the trouble in the world." The words were just as sincere, but he added a little bit of flirtation into his tone to emphasize his inherent suggestion. He kind of instantly regretted it, though--what if he came on too strong? He always worried that if he suddenly tried flirting with someone, she'd decide that was all he was about.

Deciding to try and lighten the mood a little, he grabbed two fresh punch glasses, handing one to Marie before raising his own in a mock toast. "We are quite a pair. I say we stick together, for both our sakes."