[The impression that she does gets a laugh out of him that he doesn't even try to hide. It's obvious that she's really trying and it's a tone of voice that he recognizes all too well. Beat had heard it from his parents enough times for him to consider that their default when it came to talking to him.]

That supposed to be your old man or something? 'Cause that sure sounds like somethin' a dad would say.

[With a shrug of his shoulders, he shakes his head from side to side. ]

Course I trust ya. It ain't like yous done anything to make me think differently, Shorty. 'Sides—

[But he cuts himself short. There's more than he wants to say. That it would take a lot for things to change between them. But the more he thought about it over the past few weeks, he knew that things could change between the two of them. That lingering thought had been something that put his stomach in knots and he was feeling it once again being alone with her.

Seeing the blush spread across her cheeks also made him realize what he had done, feeling her much smaller hand underneath his. For the briefest moment, he thinks about pulling it back, but he knows he doesn't want to. Not just yet. So he gives it another squeeze when he notices her looking away, taking that opportunity to divert course in the meantime.]

'Sides, looks to me that ain't the only thing you worried 'bout.