"Very well." Although the conversation might well be smoother for a round or two of drinks, they had never shied from difficult conversation before, and she would not now. "I behaved appallingly yesterday. There was simply no excuse for me--of all people--to make a public display of what lies between us. I apologize."

There, that was a beginning. The whys and what to do about it would come later, but at least the words were spoken.