"To be truthful, I'm quite proud of him as well. He's one of the few truly close friends I have, and it's nice to see him do well." He wouldn't say it, but honestly, his list of friends was small, and those he trusted countable on one hand. It's probably why he doesn't think about the fact some people will latch onto "truly close" until it's said and can't be taken back.
Yet he will deal with it if Bev is one of those who finds the phrasing to be something aside from normal, like he would in her place, instead nodding at what she says.
"That seems like a while. I'm glad you have someone here you trust."