I clasped my purse strap like a talisman and stared at him. He lowered his hand gracefully and entered the dining room. I followed.

We navigated the restaurant. Some stopped eating and stared as he passed, but most ignored him.

We were placed at a small booth in the dining room's back. I chose one side and put my suitcase next to me to discourage him from sharing my seat, but he didn't try. Instead, he sat across from me, poured two enormous glasses of red wine, and ordered the asparagus salad for both of us.

He said, “You'll have asparagus.” I watched as he shook out and folded his...