The relief at being believed is only short-lived as Karen jumps directly to the conclusion Connor never even thought of and seems...genuinely excited on his behalf. This should have occurred to him - after all, he and Hank already agreed to go before this. It seemed like an event a couple would go to.

...And that's when he realises he can't spend this night with Hank. And let Karen anywhere near him.

"She..." He sounds wrong-footed - and he feels it, too - but before he can start explaining himself, Karen's completely into the idea of dates and balls, and despite himself, Connor finds himself smiling at her. She's exuberant, and it's weirdly contagious. When she hugs him a moment later, he doesn't stop her, though he doesn't really think to reciprocate - too surprised.

She's a bit much at first for someone like Connor, who's never been around a person so...overwhelmingly positive.

"I've never been to anything like this before," he admits, "I'm not sure what to expect. But I like trying new things, so I thought I'd ask a friend to go with me.

"I mean, I'm not dating Jane. She's a friend, that's all." Because it's important to clarify these things. Maybe machine Connor would have seen an opportunity and taken it, but here and now, lying about that feel...grimy. Unclean.

Plus, Hank probably wouldn't approve - and he likes being a person Hank would approve of.