[ Clay chuckles and opens his mouth- but before he can reply he’s pulled into a polite conversation with the director of the nonprofit. Literally the person who organized this event. It takes the rest of his glass of champagne but he slides away with a cheek ache from that sideways smile. ]

What was I saying- Options. Right. No. I’m- well, extremely picky for anything longer than a one night stand. I hate people. It’s the actual reason I cancelled but I-

[ Gesturing the empty glass at the retreating person he was talking to prior. ]

Have to “be polite” sometimes. You probably…

[ He sighs and looks at her with an amused expression. Feeling the need to let her know he’s teasing- and he absolutely is- he reaches for her hand. ]

-or maybe you actually don’t empathize.