“No,” he said frowning. “If you want to go on a date with me…”

“Ehh, well, I don’t think so,” I said awkwardly. “I mean… I’m occupied today. And tomorrow. And next week… and the rest of my life. I’ll probably be very busy in my grave as well… so… eh … I can’t.”

He looked as if I just slapped him in his face.

Which was, as I come to think of it, a better idea than the sputtering excuse I was busy.