"I'm sorry," he says softly, and glances around uneasily -- trying to put Elaine out of his mind but still a little uncomfortable. "We could go somewhere else? I admit, I don't know this area very well but there has to be somewhere. I said I'd eat out with you and I'd still like to. It's like you said, the place doesn't matter so much as the company."

Right? He forces a hopeful smile, trying to rally they both of them by sheer force of will.