I go to touch his knee and then I chicken out, and kind of oddly brush my hand across his thigh, and then to cover that up, I pretend there is something on his leg that really does need wiping off and I swipe a few more times. I can see an amused what-the-hell-are-you-doing look in his eyes.

A waitress brings over a platter of food Harper ordered and puts it on the small table between our couches. I lean forward and pick up a warm olive. As I sit back, Jesse reaches out and tucks my hair behind my ear, like he did when we took the photo. It’s a very quick, soft movement, his hands brush against my neck with the lightest touch, and suddenly I have goosebumps all over my arms.

Why did he have to do that? Why did he have to be tender? It’s becoming very clear to me this isn’t a good idea, emotionally. Seeing Tristan, meeting Henry, pretending with Jesse. My heart and my head are getting all mixed up.

Tristan, Jesse and Henry are making cheerful small talk, and I keep eating, because if my mouth is full, Tristan might not ask me any more questions. Then Henry suggests a game of pool, and suddenly it’s Tristan and Henry pairing up against Jesse and me.

I follow Jesse over to the pool table. Tristan was supposed to have returned to Kendra by now.

‘You’re up first,’ Jesse says, handing me the pool cue.

I only have the vaguest idea of how to play. I hold the cue loosely in my hands and then try to copy what I’ve seen other people do. It feels very unwieldy.

Jesse watches me for a second. ‘Can I show you how to use it?’ he says.

‘Are you going to mansplain pool to me?’ I say.

‘I think it’s only mansplaining if you already know something. If you don’t, then it’s just regular explaining,’ he says, smiling.

‘Now you’re mansplaining what mansplaining is.’ I smile back.

‘I’m honestly just trying to stop you tearing up the felt,’ he says, gently nudging me with his shoulder.

‘Okay, fine, show me.’ I put my hands on my hips and watch him demonstrate proper technique.