Although that first outing with Giselle wasn’t exactly a success—she spent most of the time unusually quiet—the ones that followed slowly began to bring us closer. I’m almost certain we’re finally back to how we were before the convention.

She doesn’t even let go of my hand anymore when we’re alone, not even when I pick her up at her place after work.

"And those flowers?" I ask Giselle when I see her holding the massive bouquet I had sent her that afternoon.

"I’m just taking ...