[ Jim lets out a soft chuckle at Spock's last remark, lips curled into a smile. ]

Yes, I imagined as much. I just mentioned your mom because I know the two of you are so close.

[ To this Spock, at least, they are. It doesn't matter that he'd have to use a past tense for the Spock in his own reality. ]

And personally I would have used the word family, friends, at the very least acquaintances. Associates sounds very... professional.