Thing is, they're not trying to avoid his gaze. If the way they seem to be unsure where his face is despite looking in his general direction doesn't give it away, the dark in their eyes should.

Nor do they know he's holding out his hands, but they do hear the clank of his boots against the stine pathway. So they keep standing there.

"Maybe. It's been a few months. I'm glad you're doing well, though; anything new and exciting happen?"