He doesn't spare a look even with her eyes on him. Steve knows he'll lose his nerve so he focuses hard on the game. "I'm curious." Steve lets it go for a few seconds. It is the truth. There's more to it, of course. He knows he really ought to just fess up to it given they may die soon and he's a little too old to keep beating around the bush.

"I like you. For a lot of reasons." He tacks on at the end. "Guess I just want to get on the same page as you before the next big battle." It really can't hurt at this point.