[There's a trashy romance novel in there, enjoy that. Everything else is nonfiction, mostly historical.]

Ah. Well, if I'm honest, terribly. [And he's trying to be honest, even if it's hard. He has no less than five people who would trounce him without a second thought if he started lying about his feelings again.

He rubs his hands together, unable to look Eithan in the eye. This sort of thing can be uncomfortable for other people.] You know. I'm just keeping busy. I hear this sort of thing takes time, so... ['This sort of thing.']