This... Steve could definitely get used to this. Through this entire day, no matter what kind of mood he was in (and it had been an emotional roller coaster of a day), Marie had been nothing but sweet and understanding. He couldn't ask for a better day, or a better person to meet.

He ducked his head and grinned when she flirted back. He kept telling himself that was how she treated everyone - he'd seen her speaking flirtatiously with the residents of the party - but... well, in light of their current conversation, he felt justified in thinking this... might be flirting with intent. Maybe just a little intent, but he was pretty sure it was there, all the same.

He still had a lot of issues to work through, he knew that. And he certainly didn't want to burden anyone unsuspecting with that, of course. But maybe, if she didn't distance herself after he told her who he really was... maybe they could build something on this new friendship, something more. It had taken him a long while to really understand that 'misery shared is misery halved', but today had certainly proved it to him again.

He also was starting to understand what couples meant when they spoke about meeting and instantly 'clicking'. That's certainly how he felt now.

Feeling bold, Steve touched his punch cup to hers and said, "To new partnerships." And then, since she hadn't seemed to mind his last overture -- he winked before taking a sip.