I blurted, "I see in you a person I could comfortably connect with, and it's all I need to know. But, please, do not talk about me with Sam. Otherwise, it will be embarrassing."

"I won't. He told me that on my birthday he would be with a couple of friends in San Francisco, and when he returned, he'd take me anywhere I wanted."

"So it's with me in a restaurant or being alone. Dear lady, I found your address online. Shall I pick you up from your home half an hour before our reserved time?"

"Are you sure? I can drive myself to the restaurant."

"My mother taught me...