Michael rubbed the spot where she had pushed him and pretended to look wounded. "I didn't realise I was offering anything other than a pretty necklace. My playboy skills must be really rusty." He joked. Yes, if she was interested in him at all in that way (and yes, he knew that made him sound like a teenage girl) then he'd happily oblige her, but she wasn't and he wasn't about to dwell on what ifs.
"My father's fine. He's a little aggravated at the recent everything, but he's well." Well and cranky, if he had to sit through another lecture about what he should do then he was going to consider putting him into hiding in Siberia without a phone. Michael was allowed to dream a little bit. "The family was here for Christmas, actually. I imagine he'll be sad that he missed you." Maybe.
"Things here are beginning to get busy. People are moving in, and we're preparing for more. With everything that's been thrown at us we're trying to plan contingencies, but it's taking time." Michael shrugged. "It all takes time."