[Oh my God, he still wants to focus on the tea? Clara looks stunned by that at first, but since she can't very well turn down good tea she sets to work getting out all the things they'll need to prepare it just how she likes. Of course, she knows that he needs the time to gather his thoughts and is just using the tea to deflect and cover up, the same way they both use humor.

She's halfway inside her pantry when he finally speaks again, and though her eyes aren't on him she hears every single word. When she peeks back out and closes the door behind her, she's got a bag of cookies in one hand, and a bag of chips held between her teeth. Once she brings them both over to sit on the counter and her mouth's free, she's able to really address what he's said. Not before nodding toward the snacks to let him know he can have some, of course.]

Yeah, but that's not your decision to make. It's not a matter of have to, not to me. I want to.

[Acting on an urgency to be in close to him again, she steps in until she's right in his personal space. They can still focus on tea even with her standing up in his business, right? That becomes a little more debatable as she first rests her hands on his hips, then slides them up to rest against his shoulders instead. ]

Think your only choice is just letting me do what I want, at this point.

[She's teasing. Mostly.]