...Thank you. I really have been very happy here.

[And that, of all things, is what proves to call up a little dampness to her eyes, but she's quick to rub it away before it ever approaches anything close to tears — for her own sake as much as for his comfort.]

I would offer to speak with your friend on your behalf, and happily so, but...I imagine you'd not like to have me in the middle of things, much less in a place where I'm likely to hear awful things about you. Would you?