Look shy, except for being soft hearted! (3)

I believe the answer is:

spy

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'look' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spy that I've seen before include "Spot" , "One who collects secret information as for government" , "One gathers information on enemies" , "Glimpse" , "Notice" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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