"I can ask Jonathan if I can borrow his car." He's gotten good at driving while emotionally compromised, oddly enough. He takes after his brother in that way.

He gnaws fitfully at his lower lip for a long moment, then steels himself and forces a smile onto his face. He knows that people can hear when you're smiling on the phone, and he wants to at least try to give Mike less to worry about.

"I really did like the roses, though. Nobody's ever got me flowers before. I'll have to ask Mr Blackwood how to keep them alive longer."