[ obviously not leaping in immediately had been the right choice. Adam smiles back, albeit faintly: just a quirk of his lips, but it touches his eyes, and that's what matters. ]

It's not. But I didn't get this far without being able to fill in the blanks.

[ he shifts just enough to accept that hand, shaking firmly, but not too firmly. His Southern accent is out in full force now: ] Pleasure to meet you, Thom. How is it so far? Here, I mean.