"No—! It's not that bad, Gene, really. I... No, I didn't tell him about... that." Tony glances over his shoulder to make sure Howard hasn't wandered into hearing range. "I'll, uh, wait a little longer before I mention that."

He hopes nobody else mentions it first. Their relationship isn't exactly a secret in Keeliai. And Howard hearing about it from a third party... Whooo boy, that would be bad.