[Her goal must be to see him do a lovely impression of a tomato, and any embarrassment he's held off so far comes flooding into his expression.]

H-heheh. y'know, I think you would've liked that person. ["That person." Not "her".] Curious, intelligent... [And sometimes a real smart-ass. His smile turns rueful] Stubborn, too. But so damn mellow I sometimes felt like a kid around 'em.