This time, Palamedes does not even notice the slight shift in the tension between them. It doesn’t even occur to him how his enthusiasm might be construed. “I don’t think we’ve been apart for quite so long since we were children. She’s had quite a time of it, too.” He exhales and runs a hand through his hair, his concern for Cam flickering in his eyes. “Which is my fault, a bit. I left her in a rather…complex situation, and she’s been dealing with the repercussions for months. She’s far too good of a cavalier to complain, but I’ve been doing what I can to make it up to her.”

He fiddles with the corner of his menu and smiles sheepishly. “And that has, in turn, led to my unfortunately ghost-like behavior.”