My legs were shaking when I stood up to go to him, my eyes never leaving his. I was mesmerized, captivated, I think, as I went to him. There was something new in the way he looked at me this time, and a million thoughts went through my head though I couldn’t tell you one of them.

That all changed, though, when he studied me without speaking for what felt like hours. His eyes flicked over my head while his head didn’t move. “Excuse us, Chantal.” He reached for my hand and took ...