Sniper cringed as she looked at him, her eyes bleary, her posture apologetic despite having done nothing wrong. "Wh— no, it's not anything you did! I mean, what you asked was, er."

He shook his head, words tangling together in his mind to the point where he couldn't think straight. Gritting his teeth, he bit back his nerves, rubbing the back of his neck as he avoided her gaze.

"It's not you." He sighed heavily, wishing he didn't feel so foolish, but knowing he'd only make things worse if he didn't come clean. "I know you're only here because your cousin asked you to come. I'm just... I'm not... real experienced with dates. Not used to a beaut like you callin' me handsome rather than the next bloke."