[He breathes out, and with the air goes half his tension. He'd been nervous she was choked up with rage, still, but this...he's not sure this is better. He's not sure of anything, and he likes to have both his feet on the ground. Especially when it comes to Carolina.]

Look, I had a lot of time to rehearse. ...Which, all right, maybe I shouldn't admit, given the results, but, well. Maybe you'll forgive me my faults.

[His tone doesn't rise, but it's still a question. She's not angry with him anymore? Might as well start there and work their way down to the other, more technical questions.]