The ML has the patience of a Saint and a gentlemanly control rarely, if ever, seen before in HQ. I was rather annoyed with all the beating around the bush and double speak. SPOILER: I'm not sure what he expected when he refused to be honest with her. Yes, he thought he was still competing with Steve, but did he never think that making her think he was in love with someone else would hinder her from coming to him. I'm glad she had more guts than him in the end or both would have lost out.
