[ Whoops.

He offers an awkward sort of smile, shoulders lifting in a sort of apologetic shrug, as if to say, “What can you do?” ]

In my defense, I was almost back. But then Big, Bad, and Ugly popped out of the woodwork, and I had to run around for a while to lose him.

So, you know. Not my fault.

[ He drapes his jacket over the back of a nearby chair and lifts a hand, as if to ward off her possible arguments. ]

And I had it handled, before you start lecturing me about being more careful.