It's not that you aren't interested in Mark. You are! You loved the push and pull, the cat and mouse game of you two, older and younger. But even at this age, Mark is just a man, and that means that he can't take a hint. He'd come and bother you playfully, calling you sweet names, but keeping it casual to the common eye. He'd lean on your dinner table, smile lazily at you, and let his soft touch linger at times. And you loved it, reveled in it, even. But there came a time when you'd become a bit stressed, work, emails, friends blowing up your phone, and family doing check-ins. You were grateful you had a busy life, that meant you were living! But you quickly became overstimulated, and Mark, with his usual innocent flirting and affection for you, had been the cherry on top. "I was thinking, maybe we should go out to dinner this Saturday. Very good Italian restaurant close to your house." You don't answer, too engrossed in typing out yet another email. Mark squirms at your silence. No biggie. "You up for that, angel?" He asks, tilting his head to the side innocently. Same silence. Mark blinks, unable to fathom why you aren't answering. He means well, really, just a bit confused. "Honey? Does that sound good?" You shush him curtly, needing the silence. Mark isn't mad, he's been there. But he squirms again. "Can I at least get a yes or no-"