He looks startled for half a second before the tips of his ears heat. His mouth screws up into a smile, and he looks thoroughly abashed. "Right. OK."

Don't argue with the lady, Steve.

He takes his hands out of his pockets and sits on the edge of the pier. He has to scoot back a little further than what is comfortable to keep his shoes from getting wet.

"You grew up here?" he asks, but it's not much of a question. "It's nice. Looks peaceful."