[It was not the reaction he expected from his former peer. She had become more subdued after 5 years, but she had always been a performer at heart. To not even offer a smile...it had him feeling a bit off kilter.]

You sure can make a man feel self-conscious with a response like that. [He tries to play it off with a laugh, rubbing his chin as he offers her a wink.] Does my face truly look that hideous that you wouldn't want to see it again?