Clay lets Valyna's smile fill him, it was both warming and comforting. 
He admired the naive hope she had, but her innocence was like another world to him. A world he could never be a part of...

'Mr right.' He thought to himself. 'Such foolish things didn't exist.' Looking at that smile he couldn't bring him self to tear down those beliefs.

He was about to reply when the familiar clicking of high heels echoed in growing fashion. His eyes darted to see Alex walking in. 
In an instant all his suave and confidence faulted as frustration and confusion etched into a furrow on his brow. 

He turned away back to Valyna.
"This tavern brought me here, wasn't my choice, as for settling down... Nah not really my thing." He took back his hand and balled it into a fist.

Clay walks out in front of the bar with a wire tray to collect glasses.
"Best of luck with your mr right though." Just before leaving talking distance he slyly whispers back, 

"If you get tired of waiting for Mr right and start looking for a Mr right now... Well..."
He ends it with a wink and a little laugh and goes on about clearing the tables.

Hesitantly voiding eye contact with Alex at all costs.