When we landed, there was a car waiting to take us to his uncle’s business, a well established jazz club. We were given the VIP treatment and spent our time socializing with people twice our age and drinking cocktails that tasted like paint thinner. I did my best to come off as the warm, supportive prop I was meant to be, clinging to my partner’s side as though we were very much in love. The ruse was thrilling.

After several hours and more than a few conversations that weren’t ...