Another small chuckle, and she reached over and gave his shoulder a light pat. "It's all right, Phil. I get what you meant." But the phrasing itself was certainly serendipitous, along with his obvious realization and attempted verbal backpedalling.

She'd been about to open the door herself, but she'd seen him coming around the back, letting him indulge in his chivalrous attempts. Besides, it wasn't often Carol was actually treated as a lady. It was... nice. Welcome. Getting out of the car, she might have passed by him closer than she needed to, her eyes keeping his as she stood and moved slightly away. "Thank you."