Hestia. Huh, he rocked his head back in the faint singular laugh, Like the hearth goddess? Living up to your namesake. His lip quirked with a smile. His father wouldn't have approved of the enjoyment, but Nate had always liked the Greek myths in his learning.

He supposed a bandit or woman of the night would have picked something more alluring, like Aphrodite. And with nothing but a fur coat that he was pretty attached to, he didn't have anything worth stealing. Maybe she was just lonely, and a grubby stranger with a mouthy bird was better than nothing. Maybe she was just the quirky kind of nice that girls who grew up wild sometimes were.

There was still something a little too knowing in her gaze. He felt her practiced at putting people to ease, and couldn't entirely decide if he should let her do it to him.

If you're sure, Miss Hestia, I'd be obliged to you. He answered after a considerate pause. But I'd insist on making us square, after. Maybe I can forage for you tomorrow, make up what you lose out of your pantry.