[And he just assumes Marco ignores his comment because he's embarrassed or something.]

Well I'm finally gonna work up the balls. [Not that a lack of confidence was the only reason he had resigned himself to admiring from afar, back home. They both had other priorities; lately, they had been preoccupied with survival. But here...they have a little more breathing room, don't they?]

Don't judge a book by its cover. If I ditch the flowers, how's she gonna know it's supposed to be romantic?