Would they?

He gave a very serious nod studying the candy with more intensity and then looking up to hold her eyes as she watched him. When she didn't reach for the candy, he arched a brow and popped the candy into his mouth.

I didnt realize I was so popular, she said calmly. Maybe I should have given that card to Amos, instead.

And that was when the candy attacked his throat as he inhaled sharply and sat upright in his chair with a bit more force than he needed to. With a curled fist he pounded at his chest, coughing and hacking as the candy worked its way down his throat freeing up his airway, his face red with the effort and then with irritation as he sputtered and tried to find words.

"Bloody hell no," he said, his voice louder than it needed to be. "You're here with me and any other bloke tries to mess with that," he began, though by this point his blustery anger had faded and his common sense - the very little he had - tried to take control. It almost succeeded. "I want you to be mine, Michelle. No other bloke getting a chance to get his lips or hands on you."

Right. He'd meant to say something to that effect this afternoon; he'd had it all rather well planned, too. They'd eat and chat about inconsquential things. Afterwards, he'd take her for a walk outside (despite the chill and snow) and stop off at Gladrags and buy her some little token (for the candy was just the first basic bit of 'requirement' in his eyes) and then, after the said token was bought, they would, hand in hand (for by that time, he'd have a firm grip on her hand) they would leave and start a leisurely stroll back to the school and then, when it was just the right moment, he'd stop them at some lovely little spot of trees, pull her close, kiss her and then he'd tell her he wanted her to be his.

Luke's plans rarely panned out in real life like they did in his head.