There’s nothing about that story that doesn’t piss him the hell off, but he makes a conscious effort to relax back into the water.

“...if I needed another reason to be glad you’re my mentor, I’ve got it now.” He doubts he could even pretend to work with Quinnzel if he’d known about that, or if she’d tried any of it on him.

Really, for as much choice as Sam has in the matter, he’s just lucky he ended up with someone he doesn’t have to pretend to be willing to work with.