“That’s kind of the point of this. Changing how you see me; being able to trust me.” He smiles when I look up and catch his eye before he returns to his previous position, sitting near me with his feet on the floor this time. Taking over the space once more in that comfy armchair that looks made for him—weirdly.

There’s a feeling of awkwardness seeping back between us, straining the atmosphere, and I can tell he’s not as comfortable with this as he is making out. He ...