[There were times when Alex had forgotten that the repair of his relationship with Charlie was a new thing, and this was one of them honestly. For a minute she just frowned, and then she gave his hand a squeeze, her thumb rubbing across the top of his for a moment.]

You act like you couldn't do it now, Richard. I assure you, you definitely can. When I finally do, as my mother says, "bring home the nice young man from your podcast" my Dad is definitely going to try and do the thing.

[A beat and a grin.]

Not that what he thinks matters. You're stuck with me.