Expressing a Good-natured Compliment

I called it shameless flattery,
a description undeserved
giving a compliment to me,
tongue in cheek and not reserved

I laughed self-consciously at first,
not sure just how to take it.
But then decided, at the worst,
this is what I choose to make it.

As time went by, I faked a fuss;
Didn't mean it for a minute
I soon held it dear because
I knew a good heart in it.