[That actually earned him a small smile.]

Maybe I will be able to pick up a few things. Learn some secret recipe that will win me any argument.

[He was still smiling, but the teasing had no edge to it. Just words to keep the conversation going in a nice, safe direction. He didn't want to talk about things. He didn't want to think about things. He just wanted to bask in the light of his boyfriend's love and soak it in like he was starved for it.]

I won't bring up Joe if you don't want me to, but can we still call him later?