Mention of a secret catches her interest, and Verity looks up at him when he leans over. That secret is not what she expected to hear. He's so earnest about it. It's not a joke or an attempt at flattery and she just doesn't understand. She wants to ask him to explain, but she doubts he would, she doesn't want to look like she's fishing for compliments, and he's already gone into the kitchen.

She'll sit there and think about it until he comes back, and yes she wants to hold his hand again. "You are my hero," she points out once he's sitting, "and I don't care who knows it."