The stranger across from me admits, "Your words at the mall have been in my head all night. I really want to make my relationship right with my mate, but I worry that it's already too late. She despises me to the core." He sounds insane and desperate. I've never seen a man that upset before. His eyes are downcast as he looks at his plate.

I let out a deep breath; I can't even figure out my own romantic issues, and now here's someone who wants to give me his whole story. In addition, I don't have much time to act as a consultant at the moment because my...