The walk back is odd. We’re walking apart, my arms across my body as I feel like being by myself and not having contact. I’m tired and emotional and edgy. He’s trying to make idle chit-chat, intent on keeping us talking about any topic he comes up with, and I am responding, but I am fully aware of his constant fixed gaze on my profile as we walk, and it’s starting to make me nervy. I can’t relax with how he seems honed into my every movement and mannerism.

“You can stop ...