A compliment lands and she gets very busy with the menu.

Not confused. Not shy, exactly. Just busy. The clasp on her bag needs checking. Her glass needs moving. Her phone screen gets tapped even though there is nothing on it. Everyone close enough heard the comment, and everyone close enough can tell she heard it too.

That extra beat is the giveaway. If she answers too fast, her face might do the talking first. So the “thank you” comes late, neat, almost too controlled. Her friend looks down. The waiter waits. Her husband catches the pause.