[ By waves his hand casually, dismissing the apology with ease. ]

I told you, dear fellow, I'm someone who's only ever after a good time. The problems of others - romantic and otherwise - are delicious entertainment. You're doing me a kindness. [ And, with a little grin - ] And don't worry about being overly transparent. You'd be surprised at just how good drunken fools like myself are at reading people. It's how we get by.

[ And of course Byerly's training as a high-level surveillance operative for the best spy agency in the entire Nexus had nothing at all to do with his sharp eyes. Of course not. ]

So does your mysterious paramour love you back?