The wild mushroom pastries are good enough that he can pretend they are his sole focus for the moment, though he studies her with every bite.

She's pretty--no, she's lovely. It could be worse. Unless....

"You know," he says quietly, "I don't ... we can...." Alex sighs, tired of toying with his fork and setting it beside his plate. "Look, I know I'm not who you expected to marry. Neither one of us has much choice in this, but we can choose how to behave to each other. So...." He's blushing and knows it, but can't stop it. "If you'd rather be more like ... friends ... that's okay. I don't--" He swallows, unable to say, I don't want to force anything. That's my family's way. Not mine.