And fumbling was exactly what she was doing. Fingers drummed nervously on the side of her mug and the woman who was generally a pro at maintaining all kinds of eye contact soon found herself staring only at the murky, cooling tea still left within that mug.

Her cheeks puffed. She seized upon his offered escape. "Well -- if you're all right? I'm all right. Trust me, it's like I can't walk into this building without treading awkwardly over a stranger's...business. So if we're gonna blame anyone? Let's blame the room."