"I thought you just wanted to hang out," Lucas replied with a shrug when Alice asked if he was surprised. He felt a little bad about being so oblivious about it all this time. Had she been hinting at it for a while? He was sure she didn't feel anything when they first started talking. Or... did she? He wondered how long she had had feelings for him.

Lucas remained silent as she continued to very nicely ask him out on a non-exclusive date. He smiled at it and butterflies swarmed his stomach when she placed her hand on his and kissed his cheek.

"I guess I can't," Lucas agreed with a chuckle. "But I'd love to go on a date with you, but... I believe this thing with your dad is your first priority. And mine too. Are you sure he doesn't know about you or anyone else?"

He looked down nervously. It was evident that he was not feeling very romantic that night. He might have been, if he hadn't learned that someone could possibly want him tortured and killed. It sent shivers down his spine.