^This seems likely too! The Gent is easily swayed.
Time coupled with patience will tell! We can conclude that it surely wasn't a 'chat' but either 'Yes I will Randy, but keep it on the down low brother, I shizzle to dizzle" or "Thanks but no Randy, I heart Norway too much, I will say we just had a little chat to save your embarrassment"
Surely a simple no thank you then would have sufficed, rather than spend $20k and travel X,000miles just to say No face to face.