He set his mug down, offering Bennet a wry smile, knowing full well that the idea probably appealed to Bennet just as much as it struck his own fancy. And briefly, because of it, he had half a mind to make some snide comment--something along the lines of whether or not he and Sandra would like him over for dinner--but he thought better of it. Bennet had done as asked and was trying, after all, and if this was going to work in any way, he could at least afford the man the same courtesy. For Claire.

"Maybe," he agreed, finally. "But I need to know something, first."

Something in earnest, without sarcasm or malice.