“Are you ready?” Arrick, wearing jeans and a hoody under a denim jacket, strolls across the guest room I have been using for the past few weeks in Amber’s apartment, effortlessly casual and utterly bored while waiting for me.

I fling the last of my clothes haphazardly into my case and try to zip it shut unsuccessfully, bulging crazily, and I have no hope of closing it. Arrick frowns, moves me over, and pulls some rolled-up dresses out with a less-than-impressed brow dip at my ...