The little bar is bustling, and Arrick has me in the safe space of his arms at the bar so I don’t get crushed by the people pushing in and out. He is talking to the bartender over my head as I try to listen over the noise and feel like maybe this was not the best idea I ever had.

He’s speaking French., I have no clue what he orders for us, but he knows what I like, so I leave him to it. This is the second place we have been tonight after our meal in a restaurant down the street. We ...