That he's not an only child isn't a surprise. It's something about the way he oozes charm and coincidence as if perhaps he's found a way to get out of the shadow of an overachieving brother or sister. Six, however? Even she double-takes at that. Her surprise giving way to a small grin as he keeps the tone light. She knows what he's doing - or thinks she does - and again, there's a surge of gratitude. He's not tiptoeing around her or trying to coddle her. She'd had more than her fill of that.

"Pretty sure if I want to know the gossip on you, I'd only have to ask." He didn't strike her as the type who'd waste time lying, especially not if the truth could make her jaw drop.

"Were you close to them?"